Back in the March 2010, in my second-ever post, I called on Pope Benedict XVI to resign in the wake of the reignited priest-sexual-abuse scandal.
I didn’t get much response to the post (although a commenter named Rick said “your lack of respect for the religion is appalling”), and a friend who read the piece said, “You gotta get off that and get on to some local stuff.”
I took his advice but have believed since then that the Catholic hierarchy has gone so far astray that the church is no longer a viable institution in the modern era.
And now, today, here in Kansas City, we see yet another incredible, stupefying example of how the Catholic church has done all it could to shield perverted priests at the expense of the safety and well-being of children.
In case you didn’t catch The Star’s front-page story, a 45-year-old priest named Shawn Francis Ratigan — Father Ratigan, you understand — has been charged with three felony counts of possessing pornographic photos of children. He took pictures of girls as young as 3 or 4, and he took other photos up the skirts of girls under 12, according to documents filed in Clay County Circuit Court.
Ratigan
In his police mug shot, Father Ratigan looks like a creepy guy you’d want to avoid, even at the Quik Trip.
The indefensible action in this case, however, is that officials with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph learned about the photos in December but waited until last week — five months — to report Ratigan to police.
By contrast, the Clay County prosecutor filed charges within three hours of receiving the case file from police on Thursday.
The Star’s story said: “When asked why the diocese didn’t notify authorities until Friday, diocese officials said they consulted with legal counsel and ‘took appropriate steps based on the facts as we knew them.’ ”
On top of the delay, the diocese made a copy of the images found on Ratigan’s laptop and then, instead of turning the computer over to police, gave it to his family, who destroyed it.
The diocese sent out its spokeswoman, Becky Summers, to try to explain the debacle, and Becky, a long-time acquaintance, played a terrible hand as best she could.
But let there be no misunderstanding: Although the story did not once mention his name, the guiltiest party in this fiasco — besides Ratigan — is Bishop Robert Finn, who, during his six-year tenure, has managed to set the diocese back about 50 years. I have no doubt his goal is to take the church back a full century and that he will succeed.
I greatly admired Pope John Paul II’s humility and personal courage, but he stacked the deck with cardinals and bishops who are bent on taking the church back to the pre-Vatican II era, and Pope Benedict and Bishop Finn are straight out of John Paul’s mold.
Finn set the tone here early on, when he put out orders directing, among other things, that lay members should not be near the altar during Mass; that priests should not leave the altar to mingle with the congregation at “the sign of peace” after the Lord’s Prayer; and that only “sacred” metal vessels — not crystal — should be used for the wine that Catholics believe is transformed into the blood of Christ at the consecration.
Bishop Finn in full battle regalia
In addition, every chance he gets, Finn presents himself with staff and mitre. He has his own “altar boy,” a guy in his 40s or 50s, who dresses in the throwback black cassock and white surplice.
In other words, Finn has clearly demonstrated that, to him, it’s all about symbol over substance, clergy over laity. He’s much more consumed with the aura of the clergy and making church services a big production than he is about the church ministering to the people.
It’s no surprise, then — but still shocking — that he would hold damning evidence against a priest for five months, possibly allowing the perp to drift away or the evidence to be misplaced. Fortunately, the case appears to be intact. Police have a disk — provided, kindly, by the diocese — with the pornographic images, and Ratigan was being held on $200,000 bond.
In case you’re wondering, I am a former Catholic. My wife Patty left the church about five years ago, and I left about four years ago, about the time Finn came out with his no-laity-near-the-altar and priests-shouldn’t-leave-the-altar dictums. I’m now a member of the Disciples of Christ, a denomination rooted in egalitarianism and dedicated to serving the needs of its members.
I’ve never looked back, and episodes like the handling of the Ratigan case make me almost fall to my knees in thanks that I’m not associated with an organization that does not seek to have justice served as quickly as possible, especially when the victims are children.
***
This afternoon, Bishop Finn rose to the surface and issued the following statement:
“In mid December of 2010, I was told that a personal computer belonging to Fr. Shawn Ratigan was found to have many images of female children. Most of these were images of children at public or parish events. I was told that there were also some small number of images that were much more disturbing, images of an unclothed child who was not identifiable because her face was not visible.
“The very next day, we contacted a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer and described one of the more disturbing images. At the same time, the diocese showed the images to legal counsel. In both instances we were told that, while very troubling, the photographs did not constitute child pornography, as they did not depict sexual conduct or contact.
“Immediately after the diocese became aware of these images, Shawn Ratigan attempted suicide. In the week or so after this, Shawn Ratigan survived his suicide attempt and became conscious. He went from the medical center to a psychiatric unit until it seemed that the risk of another suicide attempt was minimized.
“I then sent him for a psychiatric evaluation out of state. The psychiatrist asked for and was provided with the images we had so he could evaluate Shawn’s condition. When he returned, Shawn stayed at his mother’s home for a while until I could determine a place where he could reside, continue counseling and not be around children. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist kindly agreed to have him assist them by saying Mass for the sisters. I restricted him from participating in or attending other events if there were children present. He lived at an adjoining property, the Vincentian Mission House, and paid rent. He did not have his computer or his camera in his possession during this period.
“In early March, Shawn’s family asked for Shawn’s computer to be returned. It had been kept at the offices of the diocesan legal counsel, and was given to them.
“In late March, I received some reports that Shawn was violating some of the conditions of his stay. I was told that he attended a St. Patrick Day parade and met with friends and families. He also attended a child’s birthday party at the invitation of the child’s parents. I confronted him about these things and told him again that he was not permitted to have any contact with minors.
“When Shawn continued to disregard these requirements, on May 12 ,Vicar General Monsignor Robert Murphy contacted the same police officer previously consulted to discuss his concerns. That officer facilitated our report to the Cyber Crimes Against Children Unit. Along with our report, we provided the electronic images that we had received in December. Detective Maggie McGuire began an investigation. In the past week she conducted interviews and, pursuant to a search warrant, found additional materials, which had never been in our possession and which we did not know existed, and which are alleged to constitute child pornography. On May 19, Shawn Ratigan was arrested and charged in Clay County with three counts of a C felony possession of child pornography.
“I deeply regret that we didn’t ask the police earlier to conduct a full investigation.
“Shawn Ratigan was a popular priest who had a large network of friends, and was media savvy. Many parents have called with deep concerns about their children who knew and trusted him. To any parents who have any questions or concerns about contact between their children and Shawn Ratigan, I recommend that you contact Detective McGuire at 816-584-6633.
“As a people of faith, in times of difficulty we rely on prayer and God’s grace to fortify our human efforts. I pray that the strong anger, shame, disappointment and fear that so many are feeling will be helped by our trust in Him.”
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
OMG!! They do not care about who they are endangering. Women and girls are consistently at the bottom of the list.
I have never been a fan of Bishop Finn and was truly outraged when, the day before the 2008 presidential election, he appeared on a local right-wing radio show and said that it was a sin for Catholics to vote for Obama because of his stance on abortion. Bishop Finn took a similar strident stance during the 2006 statewide vote for stem-cell research and even had people speak out against it during a homily at the church I belong to.
I don’t know Shawn Ratigan but do know of people who stopped attending mass at St. Patrick’s (in the Northland) because of his religious ideologies, which I hear are similar to Bishop Finn’s. I cannot help but wonder whether Bishop Finn held back on going to authorities because he considered Father Ratigan an ideological ally.
Could very well be the case, Mike. It’s easy to see how he would be reluctant to turn in a philosophical pal. If that’s the case, I’d have to add “philosophy over fact” to my characterization of his priorities.
I would amend one of your sentences thus: “…religion is no longer a viable institution in the modern era.”
I say this as someone who, you’ll pardon me, does not believe or partake in superstitious ritual and therefore does not understand why Finn et al were not also immediately arrested and charged.
An excellent discussion of this situation–as to the priest, I think if I saw him at QT, I would think he was a biker.
I didn’t understand the computer thing at all–a cover up–the worst thing to do. The bishop should go to jail for obstructing justice. The last thing the church should do is cover up any priestly crimes. As Nick’s comment shows, it hurts the church to be so stupid about criminal activity by its clergy.
Not RC either–a Protestant Christian in the lineage of John Wesley–first Nazarene and now United Methodist.
I agree with your article completely. The church should’ve reported if they had even a hint of something illegal. I think the former bishop, Boland, would have. I could be wrong, but I think he would have. Their lack of reporting is offensive and nauseating. I would go further than you, however, and say that even more offensive and concerning is the fact that this priest’s family DESTROYED the evidence. After all of the sexual abuse scandals across the world and the clear hurt, betrayal and devastation these men have caused that the family would destroy the laptop is equally as bad. Their behavior should be looked at legally. Were they accessories after the fact? Strangely the media isn’t asking this or reporting on it.
I agree, Current Catholic. I believe that Raymond Boland would have reported it. He seemed to be a bishop of great integrity. I understand he had quite a temper, and I bet that, in addition to reporting the incident to authorities, he would have really teed off on such a perp.
Thanks for writing about this, Jim. I know many in my family cringe at the changes Finn has made. I believe he demands now that all teachers in diocesan schools must be Catholic. And a few years back, I heard on good authority (from a parish priest who is a friend) that the bishop was going to bar girls from wearing skirts to school. I passed along this tip to some journalists, but they called the diocese, and your friend Becky denied the whole thing. Then the edict was abandoned, according to the priest I know (who is no longer a parish priest because he was too liberal for Bishop Finn. He’s contemplating becoming an Episcopal priest.)
I couldn’t figure out the skirt thing at first. Seemed weird. But now I think it’s a blame-the-victim thing — girls in skirts arouse the abusers, etc.
No denomination is safe from these sorts of people, but I think many Protestant denominations have faced the issue head-on. As a person who was raised by a Catholic father and who attended Catholic school as a child, the whole situation saddens me. This is the church Christ founded. WWJD?
The more feedback I get, the more troubling this whole situation with Bishop Finn becomes…And have you noticed — not one commenter has taken the side of Finn or the church? Very telling, I think
Thanks for using your blue pencil, Fitz.
This is a “clean” site, Nick. Just point out anything you want changed, and it’ll be done.
Jim, I’ve got to agree and disagree. First, Bishop Finn’s mug shot should have been adjacent to the one of Ratigan. But, then as one of the previous responders stated he (Ratigan) looks like a biker so, gosh, guess that means he’d do anything, huh? Throw the rope around the tree limb, partners. But, just for convenience sake, let’s presume the evidence is real (and it probably is). I’ve got to admit that Finn is a moron as most political hacks are. (That’s the only way you make it to the top in the Church).
But you really got off the scent rather quickly and turned the blog into a personal rant against the Church and a justification for your decision to leave it. Conversely, I don’t have one problem with Finn or any other Catholic higher-up keeping laity off the altar, making young girls wear skirts or saying “no” to women for the priesthood. I know such an opinion is a bit hard for you to accept, but, even so, I greatly respect you and your wife for following your hearts/viewpoint by departing.
Folks, as you can tell I am a Catholic, although I can’t and won’t defend Finn’s stupid shameful action, I simply can’t. Organizations like the Boy Scouts, Shriners, American Legion, yes, even the Catholic Church, and dare I say the Disciples of Christ are composed of people (created with imperfections), some very good, some very bad. Let’s not get caught up on dogma; worship the Meyer Fountain as your personal savior, if you want.
On the flip side, how about a blog story on Catholic Social Services, which doesn’t make the needy belong to the Church (in fact, that question is never asked), say a certain sect prayer before getting fed or assisted, etc.? Wonder if there is some evil lurking there…
In discussing this topic today a person actually said I was wrong to say Ratigan’s family was culpable. “What do you expect of his mother? She wanted to protect him.” Maybe, but I have to say they should feel terribly guilty. He continued to have contact with kids. Nauseating. And how naive of Finn to assume Ratigan would stay away just because he told him to do so.
Are you referring to Catholic Charities? Because I some issues with how they’ve handled some cases I’ve worked on. I’m a court-appointed special advocate in Jackson County Family Court, and I was less than pleased with the workers assigned to some cases I had. I wouldn’t hold up that organization as exemplary…
T.S.W. — The reason I recounted part of my “spiritual journey” was partly because, when someone criticizes the Catholic Church, a lot of readers want to know if the criticism is coming from an insider or an outsider. It’s a natural question, and I simply preempted it.
Further, I wanted the readers to know that I was also predisposed, before this, to look for flaws, and expect the worst, in Finn. While the stuff that drove me and my wife away was philosophical and symbolic, it just left me with the sense that he was leading the diocese in the wrong direction. South, that is. And, boy, has he done it now!
JfitzPatr you’re right. Its going south, all right. Next thing you know Mass will be in Latin everywhere in the diocese again. BLECH.
I’ve got some breaking news folks.
The Pope actually isn’t infallible.
None of us have Jesus on speed dial.
If you think your god can kick someone else’s god’s ass, stop reading.
It is way past time for the Catholic Church, to end the celibacy rule for priests.
Jesus had a girlfriend.
Read Chris Hitchens, “God is not Great”. Pretty interesting stuff. Try some Elaine Pagels with your tea party.
Constantine the great, at the Council of Nicaea, in order to form a more “perfect union” (Which he did.) voted into existance by force of will, the Catholic Church.
Religions are, to a man (heh, heh…) created by, you guessed it, man.
That old saw about the road to hell and good intentions, think religion.
Is that my phone?
Finn must resign. I hope that the media holds his feet to the fire on this. We, as Catholics, cannot tolerate this.
Finn’s lack of judgement demands that he no longer serve as bishop. Ratigan was only reported to the police after he disobeyed the bishop’s order to stay away from children. It is not illegal to disobey the bishop. If Ratigan’s activities warranted police investigation in May, they certainly deserved investigation back in December.
When the photos of little girls were discovered on Ratigan’s computer, how could Finn not wonder what else Ratigan might be doing? Did Finn not wonder if the photos were the tip of the iceberg? Did the parents of these children not deserve to know that their children had been exploited?
Please join me in demanding that Finn resign. His actions are indefensible.
Sic semper tyrannis.
Regarding Willie’s comment, this from Wikipedia:
“Sic semper tyrannis — Attributed to Brutus at the time of Julius Caesar’s assassination, and to John Wilkes Booth at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination; whether it was actually said at either of these events is disputed. Shorter version from original sic semper evello mortem tyrannis (“thus always death will come to tyrants”). State motto of Virginia, adopted in 1776.”
The District Attorney should prosecute Bishop Finn and everyone else that was complicit, just like they would prosecute any other organized pedophile unit that is caught committing this disgusting crime.
The Catholic church has been raping children, covering it up, and lying about it at least for decades, and probably forever. They STILL can’t stop themselves. They have a far lower standard when it comes to child safety and deviant sex than the rest of the U.S., and prosecutors are afraid to go after them because of the backlash from the sheep in the Catholic congregation.