A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging a Kansas City judge and prosecutor to delay any sentencing of embattled Bishop Robert Finn today, should he plead guilty or be found guilty of concealing child sex crimes. A copy of the letter, sent this morning by fax and e mail, is below:

The head of the US bishops abuse panel admits he and his colleagues have no credibility because of recent scandals in Philadelphia and Kansas City. He's half-right.

Bishop Finn is smart to 'fast track' this to limit the number of witnesses who will testify and expose his deceit and wrong doing. He knows that the more evidence that's presented, the worse he'll look.

We are glad that federal prosecutors are taking the child porn charges against Fr. Bartley Sorensen seriously. Children are always safer when predators are behind bars, and lengthy prison sentences teach predators that their actions are not without serious repercussions.

We are grateful that Bishop Matthias Moriak has addressed the rumors about him that have been swirling in Orthodox circles. The bishop of Chicago and the Midwest confirmed yesterday that he has been placed on a paid leave of absence while he is investigated by the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) for “inappropriate” behavior with a woman.

We can’t help but wonder why one of Bishop Finn’s current employees would say one thing under oath weeks ago and now say something radically different. The obvious question is “did someone pressure her to change her story?”

This is more proof that police and prosecutors are pursuing even older child sex crimes more aggressively. We applaud law enforcement for going after predators regardless of when their wrongdoing happened.

What an awful, hurtful way to respond to the heinous crimes of Fr. Shawn Ratigan.

The question raised by the Fr. Benedict Groeschel controversy is simple: why is Cardinal Dolan - and every other US Catholic official - silent? This week, Groeschel, a prominent New York-based priest and founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal said teens act as “seducers” in sex abuse cases against clergy.

At least four individuals - two men and two women - are accusing an Atlanta minister of infecting them with the HIV virus. It's awful when a pastor breaks his bonds of trust and honor and abuses his position by sexually exploiting congregants. It's even worse when he actively spreads HIV among them.

For the devastation he’s caused, a year in jail is a paltry sentence for Fr. Lyons. Still, we’re grateful he’ll be locked up and for years afterwards will be on probation.

We are troubled that Cardinal Dolan, who has acted recklessly and deceitfully in recent clergy sex abuse and cover up cases, is being given such a prominent role at a political convention. In four recent instances, Dolan has acted recklessly, callously or deceptively.