Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of U.S. Bishop for Failing to Report Sex Abuse

Pope Francis this week accepted the resignation of a U.S. Bishop who reportedly failed to report sexual abuse happening within the Catholic Church back in 2012. 

Bishop Robert Finn, who led the Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph in Missouri, submitted his resignation this week. Finn was found guilty by police of failing to report a suspected pedophilic priest in his diocese in 2012.

As USA Today reports, Finn was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of failing to immediately report Rev. Shawn Ratigan, who allegedly had indecent photos of children from his diocese stored on his computer.

Finn reported Ratigan's crime six months after he allegedly discovered it, and served two years' probation after being found guilty of his misdemeanor charge.

Jean Peters Baker, prosecutor for Jackson County, where Finn was charged, previously told CNN that the bishop's charges will ensure that other priests report abuses when they're made aware of them.

"We can be assured now that if an allegation of child abuse comes to the attention of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, there will be no hesitation to report it immediately to the proper authorities," Baker previously told the media outlet.

According to The Washington Post, the Vatican accepted Finn's resignation in a brief and unspecific manner.

"The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the diocese of St. Joseph-Kansas City, Mo. (United States) presented His Excellency Bishop Robert Finn," the statement from the Holy See read.

Finn is reportedly the first U.S. bishop o be removed from his duties for failing to report a sexual abuse crime involving clergy.