Delco Priest: Lynn Verdict Isn’t the End of Ordeal

By Jeff Wolfe
Daily Times
June 24, 2012

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/06/24/news/doc4fe68282bd176210135563.txt

When a Philadelphia jury delivered a child endangerment conviction against Monsignor William Lynn on Friday, it may have been the end of a trial, but the beginning of other things for the victims and the Catholic church in the region.

“I think in regard to the whole process, when it comes to healing, I just don’t know that healing can come by way of a trial,” said Father James Olson, who is the president of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Upper Darby. “It can bring about a sense of closure and at best a sense of justice, but neither of those things can bring healing. I still pray for healing.”

Olson says first and foremost that he is praying for those who were abused.

“There has to be a lot of sorrow for the victims,” he said. “Sometimes in the middle of a trial, when you are thinking about results, and you focus so much on that, you begin to lose focus on the victims. That always has to be first in our minds and prayers.”

Lynn, 61, served as the secretary for clergy in the Philadelphia Archdiocese from 1992-2004 mostly under Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, who died in January. Lynn is the former parochial vicar for St. Katherine of Siena parish in the Wayne section of Radnor and his conviction was based on evidence that he covered up abuse claims.

Olson acknowledged that no matter which denomination a clergy may be serving, that he or she has a greater responsibility.

“Certainly, priests can be held to higher standards,” Olson said. “I think there is something reasonable about that. We do profess, as boldly as we can, that there is a better way to live. When priests themselves do not live up to that, it becomes all the more problematic.”

Paul Hayes has been a member of St. Katherine of Siena for 35 years. He said the trial was a reminder that no matter the position of responsibility, that all are human.

“For all Catholics, it’s been a very shocking experience,” he said of the abuse revelations in the trial. “We certainly feel sorry for the victims of this. It shows no matter how many times we are challenged in our Christianity, we are still human beings and we will come up short.”

Hayes also pointed out that other institutions and organizations should learn from the Catholic church’s errors.

“I hope that all institutions are going to be challenged by this,” he said. “Public schools, especially private schools and universities on all levels, are going to be challenged. But as long as there is a dark side, we are always going to be challenged.”

While the victims obviously face the most difficult challenge of recovery, Catholic church members are also trying to recover.

“I feel really bad for the children who were abused and I pray for them each and every day,” said Marie Menta, who has been attending St. Charles of Borromeo in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby since 1958. “Some of the priests have been tried more than one time and if they did wrong, they should be punished. I just hear it on the news day in and day out and it is so disheartening for Catholics.”

Olson says he understands how members of the Catholic church have been affected by the trial.

“The people that come to daily Mass, they are hurt by this as well,” Olson said. “Sometimes people only think the clerics are hurt by this, but it’s everybody together. I know of some real faithful people who have been told they are idiots for staying with the Catholic church. When people say these things, it comes from a place of hurt and often times they are acting out of their own hurt.”

Olson admitted the trial also brought about a particular emotion for him.

“I don’t think anybody can feel satisfied at the end of the trial,” he said. “It’s still so sad. It’s sad for the victims, sad for the church and sad for all priests. It’s just very sad.”

Contact: jwolfe@delcotimes.com