PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Reuters
By Dave Warner
PHILADELPHIA | Thu Feb 9, 2012
(Reuters) – A Philadelphia judge presiding over a Catholic church sex abuse trial should step down because her comment that there is widespread sexual abuse in the church shows a bias against a Monsignor accused in the case, a lawyer said in a court filing.
Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina said in court last week: “Anybody that doesn’t think there is widespread sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is living on another planet.”
Monsignor William Lynn, the highest ranking Philadelphia Archdiocese cleric accused in the case, is charged with child endangerment and conspiracy over allegations he allowed predator priests to continue involvement with children.
“This statement by the court raises concerns that it harbors a firm predisposed opinion against the Catholic Church and its representatives,” Lynn attorneys Thomas Bergstrom and Jeffrey Lindy wrote in a petition filed on Wednesday requesting the judge recuse herself from the case.
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