The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph will not stand trial in Clay County for charges related to an alleged cover up of child pornography by a priest. Bishop Robert Finn will avoid trial by entering into a diversion program.
Finn had been under misdemeanor indictment for his handling of Father Shawn F. Ratigan who faces state and federal charges for possession and manufacturing child pornography. The Survivor’s Network of Those Abused by Priests is disappointed. Clay County prosecutors have agreed not to prosecute Finn if he meets conditions of the five-year diversion program.
Ray Read of affiliate KCMO contributed to this report.