PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Palm Beach Post
By MARYCLAIRE DALE
The Associated Press
Updated: 12:32 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012
PHILADELPHIA — A high-ranking church official accused of moving predator-priests to unwitting parishes has testified that he had no authority to make priest transfers.
Monsignor William Lynn says he could only remove a priest who admitted abusing a minor. Lynn says he otherwise made recommendations for the cardinal.
And he says Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua overturned his plan for the Rev. Edward Avery when the accused priest was returning to ministry after inpatient treatment. Avery is now in prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault.
Lynn is testifying in the ninth week of his child-endangerment and conspiracy trial.
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