Philadelphia priest abuse trial to draw plenty of attention - CNN.com 3/25/12 3:57 PM

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Philadelphia priest abuse trial to draw Recommend Be the first of your friends to plenty of attention recommend this. By From Ross Levitt and Susan Candiotti, CNN updated 6:40 PM EDT, Sun March 25, 2012

Monsignor William Lynn was responsible for investigating reports of sexual abuse by priests in Philadelphia.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS (CNN) -- Opening arguments are scheduled for Monday in

Monsignor William Lynn has Philadelphia in the first case in which an official of a Roman Catholic pleaded not guilty to two archdiocese has been accused of protecting abusive priests by criminal counts moving them from parish to parish. Lynn worked in the Philadelphia archdiocese from 1992 to 2004 Monsignor William Lynn has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and He was responsible for endangering the welfare of a child. Lynn served as the vicar of clergy investigating reports of sexual in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004, a position in abuse by priests which he was responsible for investigating reports that priests had His lawyers say he told his superiors of the allegations sexually abused children.

A grand jury alleged that he knowingly allowed priests accused of abuse to continue in the ministry in roles in which they had access to children, according to the district attorney's office. Lynn "acted as if his job was to protect the abuser, never the abused," a January 2011 NewsPulse grand jury report concluded. Most popular stories right now MSU president: Shooting But Lynn's lawyers argue that the monsignor had informed his 'isolated incident' http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/25/justice/pennsylvania-priest-trial/ Page 1 of 4 Philadelphia priest abuse trial to draw plenty of attention - CNN.com 3/25/12 3:57 PM

superiors -- including Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, who died in Borat anthem played for January -- that priests in the archdiocese were assaulting children. Kazakh gold medalist

Pope leads open-air Mass in Mexico Time doesn't pay, wrongfully imprisoned find The Lynn case has had reverberations across the country, including Health care's big 4: What the October 2011 arrest of Bishop Robert W. Finn in Kansas City, justices will hear Missouri, on charges that he failed to report suspected child abuse by a priest. Finn pleaded not guilty. Florida teen's family to speak at meeting

Lynn's case has already had some surprises in the weeks leading up Explore the news with NewsPulse » to this point. The latest came Thursday, when a co-defendant, defrocked priest Edward Avery, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 2-1/2 to five years in prison.

The deal does not require Avery to testify against Lynn, leaving open the question of how it ultimately affects the case.

"This is a very mysterious plea," says CNN legal analyst Paul Callan. "And it will be interesting to see as the trial rolls on why this plea was really entered, because there's something going on that we don't know about at this point in time."

In February, the defense had a bombshell of its own. Lynn's attorneys presented a document that seems to show that in 1994, Bevilacqua ordered shredded a document prepared by Lynn that listed the names of suspected abusers.

In jury selection process, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Common Pleas Court Judge M. Teresa Sarmina as saying in open More from CNN Justice: court, "Anybody that doesn't' think there is widespread sexual abuse Lawyer: Girl on phone with within the is living on another planet." Trayvon Martin cuts shooter's self-defense claim The comment prompted calls for Sarmina to recuse herself. She has not. Parents' suit says school ignored bullying that led to Because of a court-mandated gag order, all parties in the case are teen's suicide prevented from commenting. But Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, says Sarmina was inappropriate and incorrect. Mississippi State president: Student's shooting believed "We don't have a problem today," Donahue said. "We had it in the 'isolated incident' '60s and '70s and in the first part of the 1980s. If [Sarmina] goes in there with that mindset, I think she should have recused herself. From Around the Web What's this? She's already --as far as I'm concerned -- she's damaged goods." Battlestar: Blood & Chrome Teaser Online Cuba has complicated relationship with Church Empire

Victims' advocates say the Catholic Church still has a problem with priest abuse. Kate Middleton Stuns at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Tour ​Bistro "We have seen no evidence either that the Catholic Church has really changed anything," says Barbara Blaine, president of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "We have seen them change their public relations and their statements, but we still haven't seen one bishop to be fired or publicly punished for enabling or covering up for sexual predator priests." Law firm search Blaine hopes this case will give survivors like Rich Green some justice. Search for attorneys by location and area of practice. Enter the city name below. Green, the nephew of deceased Cardinal John O'Connor of , says he was abused by a priest at a Philadelphia high school in Select a state Area of practice http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/25/justice/pennsylvania-priest-trial/ Page 2 of 4 Philadelphia priest abuse trial to draw plenty of attention - CNN.com 3/25/12 3:57 PM

1990. The priest died in 1999, and the statute of limitations has run or: advanced search out on Green's ability to sue the Philadelphia archdiocese. Sponsored Links Green did receive a settlement from the Archdiocese of Wilmington, Before a Heart Attack These 4 things happen right before a heart attack. Know Delaware, where the priest's order is based, and says he plans to these signs! attend Lynn's trial as often as he can. Orange Savings Account No fees. No minimums. Nothing standing in your way. "We are asking for these people who are responsible for destroying Learn More. our lives to be held accountable for what they did to us," Green said. "We are the ones telling the truth, and I don't understand why the Mom Makes $77/hr Online Exposed Warning: Is it a scam? We investigated and found out Catholic Church can't tell the truth." how she does it!

Argosy University Finding the truth will be the job of a jury that is likely to hear Official Site: Discover the Value of a Degree from Argosy testimony from alleged victims; a possible taped deposition from University. Bevilacqua; and perhaps from Lynn himself. Buy a link here

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Sponsored Links Before a Heart Attack Orange Savings Account Mom Makes $77/hr Online These 4 things happen right before No fees. No minimums. Nothing Exposed a heart attack. Know these signs! standing in your way. Learn More. Warning: Is it a scam? We investigated and found out...

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