BishopAccountability.org

Opening Arguments Scheduled Today in Philadelphia Clergy Sex Abuse Case

By Peter Hall
Morning Call
March 26, 2012

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-philadelphia-clergy-abuse-trial-20120326,0,5154371.story

Monsignor William Lynn (left) and former Allentown Bishop Edward Cullen.

A judge is expected to decide whether opening arguments will begin today in the sex abuse trial of two Philadelphia-area clergymen where retired Allentown Bishop Edward Cullen is likely to testify.

Following a surprise guilty plea by one of his codefendants, defense attorneys for Monsignor William Lynn asked Judge Teresa Sarmina to delay the trial to pick a new jury. The jurors, Lynn's attorneys said, were likely exposed to media reports of defrocked priest Edward Avery's guilty plea.

The judge said she would decide before the scheduled start of the trial this morning whether a new jury is needed.

Lynn, 61, is the highest ranking church official in the nation to be charged with covering up sexual abuse by priests.

Prosecutors say Lynn worked to protect priests accused of abuse from criminal prosecution, protect the church from civil liability and protect the archdiocese's leader, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, from scandal.

Lynn was charged in February 2011 along with Avery and the Rev. James Brennan following a grand jury investigation of sexual abuse by Philadelphia-area clergy and the church's response.

As secretary for clergy in the Philadelphia Archdiocese from 1992 to 2004, Lynn was tasked with combing the church's secret archive for allegations of sexual abuse lodged against priests. Prosecutors say Lynn approved the assignments of Avery, Brennan and other suspected abusers to parishes where they had access to children even though he was aware of allegations against them.

In a bombshell revelation last month, church officials turned over to prosecutors a folder of documents that show the head of the Philadelphia Archdiocese in 1994 ordered the destruction of a list Lynn had produced detailing allegations of sexual abuse against priests contained in the secret archive.

Lynn's lawyers said the documents prove the conspiracy to cover up sexual abuse by priests was over his head. But prosecutors say the papers, which include a copy of the list, are further evidence Lynn was indifferent to the safety of the church's youth.

Cullen, who was then Bevilacqua's second in command, was allegedly present at the meeting of church leaders where Bevilacqua ordered copies of the list shredded.

Cullen is likely to land on the witness stand because he is one of two living former church officials besides Lynn who was allegedly aware of Bevilacqua's instruction.

Lynn, 61, is charged with conspiracy and child endangerment for allegedly approving priests suspected of abusing children for positions where they would have access to young people. Brennan, 49, is charged with raping a boy in 1996 from a Chester County parish where he was assigned even after archdiocesan officials were made aware of earlier abuse allegations.

Avery, 69, who had faced trial with Lynn and Brennan, admitted last week to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old alter boy in 1999 and conspiring Lynn and other unnamed church officials to endanger children.

Contact: peter.hall@mcall.com




.


Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.