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Priest sex abuse is an invasive problem in the Roman Catholic Church. What began with the Boston Archdiocese nearly a decade ago has not made much impact on how churches handle pedophile priests in their midst.
Last month, a bishop in Kansas was convicted of a misdemeanor count of protecting a priest known to have possessed pornographic images of young girls.
It all began in December 2010, when Father Shawn Ratigan took his computer to a technician for repair. The tech found disturbing, pornographic images of young girls’ genitals and reported the images to church officials. What the church did and failed to do in response resulted in the criminal charges against Bishop Finn and the Diocese.
After the images were reported to church officials, Ratigan attempted suicide, survived, and was reassigned to a convent. However, over the course of the following 5 months, Ratigan continued to have contact with girls, attending children’s events and even going to homes where children were present.
It wasn’t until May, 2011, that the Diocese reported Ratigan to policy. He eventually admitted to exploiting girls, from the age of 2 up to 12 over the course of 6 years. He pled guilty to federal charges. State charges are still pending.
Anyone with information about priest/church member sex abuse in Kansas City should call the local district attorney’s office. 816.881.3555
Related Pennsylvania Priest/Church Sex Abuse Legal Articles:
- The Repressed Memory Theory in Pennsylvania Priest and Child Sex Abuse Cases
- What to Expect in Priest/Clergy Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuits in Pennsylvania or New Jersey
- Pennsylvania Priest Sex Abuse Law: The Fraudulent Concealment Exception to the Statute of Limitations
- Pennsylvania Child Sex Abuse Law: The Statute of Limitations
Priest/Church Sex Abuse Lawyer & Former Sex Crimes Unit Prosecutor
Former sex crimes unit prosecutor, Guy D’Andrea, has devoted his entire career to helping victims of sex abuse find justice. For a free, confidential consultation about a Pennsylvania or New Jersey priest/clergy sex abuse case, call Click To Call. Mr. he’s law firm has the resources and experience to handle matters outside the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area, and the firm’s sex abuse lawyers can be admitted into other states such as New York.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Published: October 10, 2012
