Pope Francis's removal of Bishop Robert Finn is welcome even if long
overdue. But what does it mean? Is it merely an attempt to squash
scandal, or does it signal a new era of bishop accountability? To facilitate understanding of this unusual papal action,
BishopAccountability.org presents this list of complicit bishops who
have resigned or been removed.
The Vatican's announcement about Finn said only that he was removed in accordance with canon 401, paragraph 2, which states: "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." This is the same notice the Vatican has issued in the firing of other complicit bishops who have caused scandal – such as Irish bishop Brendan Comiskey, removed by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and Irish bishop Seamus Hegarty, removed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/removed/index.html
The Vatican's announcement about Finn said only that he was removed in accordance with canon 401, paragraph 2, which states: "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." This is the same notice the Vatican has issued in the firing of other complicit bishops who have caused scandal – such as Irish bishop Brendan Comiskey, removed by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and Irish bishop Seamus Hegarty, removed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/removed/index.html