Lawyer questions reason for accused priest’s leave

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
San Antonio Express-News

MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press

Updated 12:36 p.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2012

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Defense lawyers for an accused predator-priest are challenging evidence that their client once said he had been sexually abused as a boy.

The exchange involves the Rev. James Brennan, who’s charged with sexually assaulting a teenager in 1996.

Philadelphia Archdiocese records show that Brennan requested a leave that year to deal with childhood sexual abuse.

But Brennan later denied telling Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua (beh-vih-LAH’-kwah) or Monsignor William Lynn that he had been abused by four young men.

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