Gloria.tv: Bishop Finn Avoids Indictment by Entering Diversion Program

Bishop Finn Avoids Indictment by Entering Diversion Program

Gloria.TV – News Briefs 16/11/2011 06:19:05

Bishop Finn Avoids Indictment by Entering Diversion Program

Bishop Robert Finn on Tuesday avoided a possible criminal misdemeanor indictment in his handling of a priest facing child pornography charges by agreeing to enter into a diversion program with the Clay County prosecutor.

Authorities have pledged not to prosecute Finn, the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, if he lives up to the terms of a five-year diversion agreement.

Finn is the highest-ranking Catholic official in the country to be held criminally accountable for the alleged misconduct of a priest in his diocese.

His agreement with Clay County requires him to meet face-to-face with White (Clay County Prosecutor Daniel L. White) or his successor each month for the next five years to discuss any allegations of child sex abuse levied against clergy or diocesan staff within the diocese’s Clay County facilities. Finn also is to describe what steps the diocese has taken to address the allegations. White would then decide whether to encourage police to investigate any allegations.

“This will be a learning experience for the Bishop,” White said in a statement. “The diocese and the bishop acknowledge past reporting systems have flaws.”

The Kansas City Star

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TicTocTV 17/11/2011 04:06:42

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tbswv 16/11/2011 08:08:36

Ridiculous!! A possible crime may have been committed by a priest under his care. All those in authority need to be held accountable. If he is found neglible in not taking action to remove this peodophile priest then he needs to be removed from his position immediately since he has demonstrated that his decision is not in the best interest of the juvenile. This sends the wrong message.

Gloria.TV – News Briefs 16/11/2011 06:21:29

Bishop Finn now becomes the 4th American prelate to strike a bargain with prosecutors, giving public officials some control over diocesan affairs in order to escape prosecution. Similar deals were struck by Bishop John McCormack of Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2001; Bishop Thomas O’Brien of Phoenix and Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnat in 2003; and Bishop Daniel Walsh of Santa Rosa, California, in 2006. Bishops O’Brien and Walsh later resigned; Archbishop Pilarczyk and Bishop … [More]

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