Bishop Robert Finn

Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo., was convicted Sept. 6 of one count of failing to report suspected child abuse and acquitted on another count in a brief bench trial.

Jackson County Circuit Judge John Torrence issued the verdict and quickly set and suspended a sentence of two years’ probation.

The charges carried a possible maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

In a courtroom statement following the verdict, Finn said he truly regretted and was sorry for the hurt the events caused.

Finn was indicted last October on the misdemeanour charges of failing to report suspected child abuse to state authorities.

The case began in December 2010, after a computer technician discovered child pornography on a computer used by Father Shawn Ratigan and turned it over to diocesan authorities.

Authorities were not notified until six months later, when a search of the priest’s family home turned up images of child pornography.

Ratigan pleaded guilty in August to charges of producing child pornography.