Pennsylvania Appeals Court Hears Priest's Endangerment Case

By Maryclaire Dale
Associated Press
September 17, 2013

http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20130917/pennsylvania-appeals-court-hears-priests-endangerment-case

FILE - In this March 27, 2012 file photo, Monsignor William Lynn leaves the Criminal Justice Center in Philadelphia. A Pennsylvania appeals court on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2013 heard defense arguments that that Lynn was wrongly convicted for his handling of priest sex-abuse complaints. Lynn is serving three to six years in prison after his 2012 felony child-endangerment conviction. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

A Pennsylvania appeals court appears intrigued by arguments that a Roman Catholic church official was wrongly convicted for his handling of priest sex-abuse complaints.

Monsignor William Lynn is serving three to six years in prison after his felony child-endangerment conviction last year.

Philadelphia prosecutors say he reassigned dangerous priests to unsuspecting parishes as secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004.

Defense lawyers argue that the child-endangerment law in place then only applied to parents and caregivers. A 2007 amendment included supervisors with indirect oversight of children.

Assistant Philadelphia District Attorney Hugh Burns says the 2007 change clarified the law’s intent but didn’t change it.

The Superior Court didn’t indicate when it would rule.

President Judge John T. Bender also questioned why the jury heard about priest-abuse cases dating back to the 1940s.