The Roman Catholic Bishop of Kansas City – St. Joseph, Robert Finn, was convicted nine days ago of failing to report suspicions of child abuse, but the diocesan website is silent with regard to the trial, let alone the verdict. Maybe that’s because of some other documents on the website, published with Finn’s signature, seem to imply that Finn ought to be removed from his position as bishop.

But there are only two people who can remove him — Finn himself and Pope Benedict. I’m not holding my breath waiting for either to act.

Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Finn has been indicted on charges of failing to report child abuse by one on his priests.

I’m a Lutheran pastor, and I’ve taught clergy and lay leaders in a variety of denominations — including Roman Catholics — about child abuse and the need to file a report when you have reason to believe that abuse has taken place. When a bishop or any other church official fails to report suspicions of abuse, that’s a crime.

It’s about time a bishop faced a judge for failing to report allegations of child abuse.

No, let me restate that. It’s *well past time* for a bishop to be indicted for trying to sweep things under the ecclesiastical carpet and pretend there’s no problem here. Even so, this indictment is better late than never.