Joe Cory/Key photo Msgr. Robert William Finn fields questions at the news conference announcing his appointment as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph on March 9.

The appointment was announced March 9 by the papal nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, in Washington, D.C.

As coadjutor, Bishop-designate Finn would automatically succeed Bishop Raymond J. Boland in the event of Bishop Boland's retirement or death. In the meantime, Bishop-designate Finn will assist Bishop Boland in his responsibilities as bishop.

The appointment was announced locally at a press conference March 9 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

"I give thanks to God for this great gift," Msgr. Finn said. "I look forward to working with Bishop Boland and assisting him as he continues to fulfill his responsibilities as bishop of the diocese."

Having been "drafted" to teach, then to edit a newspaper with no previous training, Msgr. Finn expressed a willingness to learn how to be a coadjutor bishop.

"I'll have a good teacher," he said gesturing toward Bishop Boland. He then amended that statement: "Several good teachers. Several people have already started to teach me about the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph."

Msgr. Finn will be ordained as coadjutor bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 2 p.m. May 3 by Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, with Bishop Boland as co-consecrator.

Bishop Boland said that as coadjutor bishop, Msgr. Finn is his designated successor "when I retire or die, whichever comes first."

In the meantime, Bishop Boland said, "Our people will get more service with two bishops."

Asked about his health and his plans for eventual retirement, Bishop Boland, who is 72, replied that his health "is reasonably good." He said he would be mandated to offer his resignation at age 75, and spoke of working with Bishop-designate Finn for at least "a year or two."

Asked his thoughts about the sexual abuse scandal and the report of the John Jay study, Msgr. Finn said, "A great spiritual healing has to take place. We have to do all that we humanly can to reach out in reconciliation to people who have been estranged. But some things can only be effected by God." Deep hurts cannot be healed immediately, he said.

"All of us Catholics must reach out and welcome them back to the extent that they can, at their own rate.," he said.

He noted that the Catholic Church "is the only nationwide institution that has done a self-study on sexual abuse. Every other walk of life has similar problems, and they should also do some soul-searching so that we can learn more about ourselves and more children would be protected."

Bishop Boland said that he had requested that the Holy See appoint a coadjutor bishop "well over a year ago." His reasons, he said, were, "One, I'm not getting any younger. I don't know anybody who is." Next, he said, "I am a cancer survivor and there are a couple of other little disabilities that drain my energy."

But most important, he said, is that he is a firm believer in providing a smooth transition to keep diocesan projects on track.

In talking with reporters after the news conference, Bishop Boland spoke of building projects - "five new churchs in the next six months"; a new high school (St. Mary/Bundschu in Independence); new parishes; the vocations program, and a new 10-year strategic planning process.

Coadjutor Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas Joseph Naumann, recently appointed to that post, called Msgr. Finn "a man of the highest moral and spiritual character." Archbishop Nauman, formerly and auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, predicted Msgr. Finn will be a great bishop and shepherd for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

In Jefferson City, Bishop John R. Gaydos, a St. Louis native, praised Msgr. Finn's commitment to the work of the Gospel.

"His leadership in priestly formation, Catholic education and religious journalism are special gifts for his new diocese and the whole church," Bishop Gaydos said.

Jim Rygelski, managing editor of the St. Louis Review, said, "You are getting a man of deep faith and a man who is very clear in his direction." He said Msgr. Finn "lives the Gospel," and "has a Christ-like love for people" and a "great sense of humor."

Msgr. Finn had been appointed rector of the St. Louis Cathedral by Archbishop Burke, a post he was to have added to his duties as editor, but had not yet taken up that post when he received word of his appointment as coadjutor bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

In addition to his experience as editor of the St. Louis archdiocesan newspaper, Bishop-elect Finn, a priest for 25 years, has four years of experience as associate pastor in two parishes, taught in a high school and served as an administrator of a high school for seven years. He was also director of continuing formation of priests in the St. Louis Archdiocese, and has been editor of the Review for four years.

Robert Finn was born in St. Louis on April 2, 1953, the son of the late Theodore (Pat) and Betty (Schneider) Finn, the second of five children. He attended All Souls Catholic Elementary School in Overland.

He studied in St. Louis archdiocesan seminaries. He graduated from St. Louis Preparatory Seminary North in 1971, and received a B.A. in philosophy from Cardinal Glennon College in 1975. He earned an M.A. in theology from the Angelicum University in Rome in 1979, where he studied at the North American College.

He was ordained a priest by St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop John N. Wurm on July 7, 1979, and became an associate pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Affton for a year. In 1983, Father Finn was assigned to teach at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in Washington, Mo., where he taught full time until 1989. By that time he had completed an M.A. in education administration at St. Louis University. During that time he was also a part-time associate pastor at St. John Parish in Villa Ridge.

In 1989, Father Finn was appointed administrator of St. Dominic High School in O'Fallon, serving until July 1996. During his term as administrator he was assigned to assist at All Saints Parish in St. Peters, then at Assumption Parish in O'Fallon.

In July 1996 he was appointed director of Continuing Formation of Priests, serving in that capacity until June 2000. He was appointed editor of the St. Louis Review in December 1999.

Father Finn has served as a spiritual director to seminarians of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, confessor at several religious houses of religious and an instructor for the Paul VI Catechetical Institute in St. Louis.

On Aug. 24, 2003, Father Finn was named a "Chaplain to His Holiness," with the title of Monsignor.

He is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of Priests for Life.

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