PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
BY SISTER MAUREEN PAUL TURLISH
FOR THE first time in this country, a high-ranking clergyman – Msgr. William Lynn, the former vicar of clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia – will be tried on criminal charges for putting children in danger because of his “alleged” mishandling of priests known or credibly accused of the sexual exploitation of children.
No bishop or high-ranking church official in the United States has ever been held criminally responsible for facilitating or enabling the sexual exploitation of a child, but that is about to change with the March opening of Lynn’s criminal trial.
It remains to be seen, however, what effect Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua’s death will have on the admissibility of information contained in testimony videotaped in preparation for the trial.
Testimony from Bevilacqua’s 10 grand jury appearances relating to the sexual abuse of children and the subsequent cover-up continue to be under seal.
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