The Vatican’s recent announcement
that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Finn,
of the diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph, has given relief and new hope
to victims of sexual abuse in the Church.
Technically, the Pope didn’t directly “remove” Finn, as the media has widely reported; rather, the bishop formally offered his resignation in accordance with canon 401, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canon Law, which reads: “A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office.” But there is no mystery as to why Finn resigned, several years after resisting petitions for him to do so.
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2015/04/francis-gives-new-hope-to-abuse-victims
Technically, the Pope didn’t directly “remove” Finn, as the media has widely reported; rather, the bishop formally offered his resignation in accordance with canon 401, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canon Law, which reads: “A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office.” But there is no mystery as to why Finn resigned, several years after resisting petitions for him to do so.
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2015/04/francis-gives-new-hope-to-abuse-victims