Crocodile Tears Of Regret

A Missouri bishop who became the nation's highest-ranking Catholic official charged with shielding an abusive priest was found guilty Thursday of one misdemeanor count of failing to report suspected child abuse, a conviction that extends the Church's struggles to shake its reputation for protecting pedophile priests.

Bishop Robert Finn was acquitted on a second count. He received two years of probation, but that sentence was suspended. He is required to have mandatory abuse reporter training.

Finn and the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph were each charged with two misdemeanor counts of failing to report suspected child abuse to the state. Prosecutors said Thursday they are seeking to dismiss the charges against the diocese, but the judge hasn't decided on the request and is set to rule Friday.

"I truly regret and am sorry for the hurt these events have caused," Finn said to the judge before being sentenced.

It sounds tough, until you realize he just has to go to a class that tells him what he already knew... he is a mandated reporter.

He isn't sorry for the hurt this caused, anyone capable of that would have reported crotch shots of little kids. Anyone who really gives a damn about people knows common decency demands we try to shield the innocent.  Instead, he sat on it and let a pedophile continue.  Unforgivable.

But tell me again how I should live, tell me again how I need to be, and how I need to treat my fellow man.  Tell me how the Catholic church knows the way and is above reproach.

Keep in mind, Catholic readers, I don't have issues with anything besides the Church and its actions.  But enough is enough, nobody should support an organization that says "Yeah we did it, what are you gonna do about it?"