PHILADELPHIA (PA)
The Associated Press

By MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A priest assigned to help with child sex-abuse complaints at the Philadelphia archdiocese in the early 1990s says he was “woefully unprepared” and left after a year.

Monsignor James Beisel’s (BYE’-zuhlz) testimony comes in the child-endangerment and conspiracy trial of his friend, Monsignor William Lynn.

Lynn is accused of keeping accused priests in ministry. Defense lawyers have started their case by calling three of his church colleagues.

The priests say Lynn talked compassionately with abusers and sent accused priests for mental-health evaluations.