Bishop Finn, who resigned last year after criminal conviction, now working as convent chaplain
January 15, 2016
Bishop Robert Finn, who resigned last year after he was found guilty of endangering children by failing to report sexual abuse, has taken a new post as chaplain of a convent in Nebraska.
Bishop Finn had been leading the Diocese of Kansas City, Missouri, until he became the first American bishop to be convicted on criminal charges in connection with the sex-abuse scandal. He is now working with the School Sisters of Christ the King. A spokesman for the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, where the convent is located, said that the bishop's involvement has been welcomed. Lincoln's Bishop James Conley said that Bishop Finn deserved another chance at pastoral work.
The news that Bishop Finn has been working as a chaplain since last December comes on the heels of the announcement that Archbishop John Nienstedt, formerly of St. Paul-Minneapolis, is now acting as a parish priest in the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Archbishop Nienstedt, too, resigned last year after criminal charges were filed for a failure to report abuse.
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Further information:
- Embattled K.C. bishop starts anew in Lincoln convent (Journal Star)
- Archbishop Nienstedt, who resigned last year, now doing parish work (CWN 1/13)
- Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Finn (CWN, 4/21/15)
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Posted by: dfp3234574 -
Jan. 18, 2016 11:16 AM ET USA
I am stunned at the schadenfreude from Bernadette in cheering Bishop Finn's new assignment. It goes to show that some people only want to selectively apply Pope Francis' "Year of Mercy" edict. And Abps. Nienstedt and Finn did not "sin"; they did not willfully commit a crime. They believed they were doing the right thing, and selective prosecutors saw an opening in their handlings to hammer them. We should be supporting Abps. Nienstedt and Finn, not attacking them.
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Posted by: Rose of Lima -
Jan. 16, 2016 10:19 PM ET USA
My thoughts exactly, Bernadette
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Posted by: VICTORIA01 -
Jan. 16, 2016 2:58 AM ET USA
I would like Bishop Finn and Archbishop Nienstedt to publish their version of why they felt they had to resign. This explanation should be written in dated dot points so that readers have something to take to the foul material which is written online about these two men.
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Posted by: Bernadette -
Jan. 15, 2016 11:54 PM ET USA
I am so happy to learn this. Praise God! Both good men who meant well, did much good in their dioceses, but made some poor judgments and are sinners like the rest of us. The good thing is that they wish to continue to do the Lord's work and are quietly carrying on in their priestly vocations. Our prayers should be with them. Mine are.
