PHILADELPHIA (PA)
San Antonio Express-News
MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press
Updated 04:37 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2012
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — After eight weeks of wrenching testimony, Philadelphia prosecutors rested their case Thursday in the trial of a Roman Catholic church official accused of helping bury complaints that priests were raping and molesting children.
Monsignor William Lynn is the first U.S. church official charged for his handling of the abuse complaints. Prosecutors say the former secretary for clergy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia helped known predators stay in ministry, and they charged him with child endangerment and conspiracy.
In arguing to send the case to the jury, a prosecutor said the church needed the priests to run the “business,” protecting church assets — and secrets — over the lives of children.
“They turned a religious institution into a financial institution,” Assistant District Patrick Blessington argued. “It’s disgraceful. It’s criminal.”
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