Predator priests transferred without warning

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

A legal case in Philadelphia is drawing special attention, because for the first time, prosecutors are charging a church official for allegedly transferring predator priests to new parishes without warning.

If found guilty, former secretary for the clergy, Monsignor William Lynn faces a possible 28 years in prison.

On Friday, Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes said that last month’s Grand Jury report demonstrated probable cause, even on newly added conspiracy charges.

Dismissing arguments by defense attorneys, Cardwell Hughes told Lynn and his four co-defendants they would proceed directly to trial in the priest pedophilia case.

Despite a possible strategy conflict, the archdiocese will continue to pay Lynn’s legal bill, at least for the meantime.

“Their interests may not align with yours,” Judge Cardwell Hughes told Lynn. “It may be in your best interest to attack certain people,” the Judge warned.

Lynn was Secretary for Clergy between 1992 to 2004 under former Cardinal, Anthony Belilacqua. The Grand Jury report severely criticised Belilacqua and his successor, Carding Justin Rigali for the way they handled the priest-abuse complaints.

There was however not sufficient evidence to charge them with any crimes.

Sources