A new lawsuit is accusing the Rev. Shawn Ratigan of engaging a 9-year-old girl in sexually explicit conduct as recently as May.
The suit also alleges that Bishop Robert Finn allowed Ratigan continued access to children even after learning of disturbing images found on the priest’s computer and despite warnings from clerics about his troubling behavior.
In addition, the suit filed Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court contends that Finn gave Ratigan permission in May to attend another girl’s first communion, ignoring complaints that Ratigan had been spending time on his computer and riding his motorcycle, despite restrictions the bishop had placed on him.
“Our clients are seeking transparency in the diocese,” said Rebecca Randles, the plaintiff’s attorney. “If they’d had any inkling that their children were not safe with Father Ratigan, they would never have allowed him to have access to them.”
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