Monsignor Lynn to serve six years for abuse scandal

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/25/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Lynn is highest-ranking church official to be jailed for sex scandal.

A high-ranking Church official has been sentenced to six years in prison for covering up child sex abuse cases in Philadelphia. The case is a result of efforts by the Church and civil authorities to aggressively eliminate pedophiles from the ranks of the clergy along with the people who protect them. The sentence is expected to send a message to others in positions of trust.

Monsignor Lynn will serve at least three years in prison, and possibly up to seven before he is released.

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PHILADELPHIA, PA (Catholic Online) - Judge Teresa Sermina told Monsignor William Lynn that he was being sentenced to prison because he protected "monsters in clerical garb who molested children."

Lynn will serve at least three of those years in prison, and possibly longer. A sentence for another, single count of child endangerment is pending and could add a seventh year to his time.

Monsignor Lynn oversaw 800 priests in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and was responsible for investigating claims of abuse. However, instead of involving higher Church and civil authorities, Lynn often covered up allegations of abuse often by transferring priests to different parishes where they continued to prey on children.

In one case, he transferred a known pedophile priest to another parish that was attached to a grade school. That priest went on to abuse a 10-year-old boy.

"We're talking about children being raped," lead prosecutor Patrick Blessington told the court before sentencing.

Lynn was sentenced while wearing his Roman collar. To his credit, he apologized to the victims and acknowledged his guilt. However, his attorney later fired back at the court calling the sentence of six years, "grossly imbalanced."

Victim's families expressed relief and satisfaction that Lynn would be going to prison.
Lynn will be eligible for parole in three years. The Vatican has followed the case closely and there is no word yet on what action the Holy See will take next. Regardless Pope Benedict XVI has made it pointedly clear that all children will be protected under his leadership. New Church guidelines are already in place and are under review to ensure they are strong enough to protect children.

� 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: William Lynn, Philadelphia, church, sex abuse, pedophile priests

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1 - 10 of 11 Comments

KarlVDH
9 months ago
We need to remember that Mary is, first and foremost, a MOTHER. You mess with a child, you deal with the mother... and I don't think I'd like to face our Blessed Mother after having harmed a child.
Robert Burford
9 months ago
Just like Joe Praterno, Msgr Lynn must answer to God. In Ezekiel 33: 7-9 we have to tell someone they are doing wrong or we are just as responsible for the lives of these victims as the monsters who abused them. How much more responsible if we give them the opportunity to abuse others. Pride is the reason that there was a coverup. It is not up to us to cast the first stone but we clearly have a duty to call evil as an evil. I am proud of my faith and love my chuch but I believe in the Gospel of Saint Matthew 7 that we can do all the good in the world and perform many miracles in Jesus's name but unless we follow His commandments, God will not know us.This goes for all of us including myself.
DLL
9 months ago
The entire Church is paying dearly for these sexual abuse allegations as it is the donations of parishioners that pays for court fees,convictions and settlements. That is the crime of these perverted priests as they not only abuse the children but everyone else,all of the faithful. The sin is a matter of economy and utility and this is why these incidents have not been reported. The age is so sinful that it has been possible that the hope of prayer and penance,after a sincere confession,might be the cure. It obviously has not been the case for these priests. Criminal is criminal and priests can not be above the punishment that any common person would receive for similar crimes. To be obedient to God is to love God and one another and to be loyal to the Church. Homosexual behavior is also the root cause of these behaviors and this reason must not be dismissed as a sin,a common cause for the actions of these perverted priests. Homosexual behavior is a sin as much as the actions of these priests that hide their identity and continue to commit their crimes. Because of all of this moral confusion the cause of the rape for men women and children,now has a broader and more expansive definition. This is a disgrace not only on any church,our Church,but on the lack of common decency and goodness in our society as a whole.
JeannieGuzman
9 months ago
I am sickened whenever I see Mary's likeness, the Mother of Jesus, linked to a story about Monsignor Lynn. Absolutely sickened! Do you think that she'd approve of the way in which the Archdiocese of Philly, under Cardinal Bevilacqua handled the Priest Pedophilia Scandal and treated the children brutally raped and sodomized by Pedophile Priests? I don't! Do you think that she'd approve of the way in which normal Catholics didn't let Archbishop Chaput know that an $11,000,000 defense of Lynn, Avery, and Brennan, was a total WASTE of the money, which hard-working Catholics gave to the Church? This whole story sickens me to the core of my being.
Bill
9 months ago
Thousands abused? Where did you get your data?
Aren't we taught as Catholics to hate the sin, not the sinner?

The Monsignor has been punished by man and will be judged by God!
Karlvdh
9 months ago
The sentence is just. A real man- especially a real man of God- protects CHILDREN, not his position, or even the Church. Additionally, we MUST be seen to be cleaning our own house if we're going to make statements about other peoples' moral decisions and choices. This is right; it is just. It is Godly because it is true.
Everett Mann
9 months ago
John, are you serious? "He was found guilty in a court of law"... why the distinction? You are talking about a stain on the very fabric the Church is based. The NCAA stepped in the Penn State case and nearly put it out of business. Unfortunately, there is no NCAA -type oversight committee for religion and certainly the Church, most likely would thumb its nose even if there were such an oversight. Then sit back and claim its all anti-Catholic, anti christian attacks. NO!! What the priests did and what this monsignor did are the anti- Catholic, anti Christian acts. I cannot for the life of me understand who would want to protect them except criminal defense attorneys and even then they are only looking to get paid. What you describe is this monsignor protect "family" like the mafia protecting family. I do not want my Church to be mafia-esque.
abey
9 months ago
For it is written, God will Judge his own house before he Judges the Judges of His house, even unto their gods, called the Righteousness of God. Likewise it was to ancient Egypt.
Bud
9 months ago
I certainly feel very compassionate to the innocent clergy that has been disgraced by the evil of some of the clergy. Even at my age, I can barely comprehend just how this has happened and how it was handled. I even came to the conclusion at one time, that there were separate canons regulating the priesthood regarding sexual activities totally different from the laity. No more though. Evil was allowed to creep in and no one did anything about it period and end. I also wonder just how immune bishops are since reading about Bernardin and others. We're all sinners of course and I will not judge anyone but I fear for my faith!
John
9 months ago
He was guilty in a court of law. If he is guilty internally he must repent. His crime was that he thought a good talking to and transfer would end the problem. Sorry for those who suffered because of an error judgement, much like a parole board releasing a murderer and later finds out that person killed someone again.
Might I interject this thought. Would YOU turn in an adult son or daughter to the police for committing a crime? THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO THOSE WHO THINK THIS IS. Military leaders don;t turn in troops who kill prisoners of war, or other forms of abuse. In general I believe we try to protect our own. Is it human nature? I don't know. We have to put innocent people in the forefront, and I hope the church continues down that path. I am still a committed Catholic, the CHURCH DOES NOT SIN, PEOPLE SIN, AND THE CHURCH ackowledges this over and over again. Who is without guilty "throw the first stone." Pray for the Church, live and breath the Church. Learn about the faith, and wear it on your sleeve, at home and in the public. Attend Mass, not only at funerals, weddings, etc. Addend Mass with for love of Jesus, before the day of plea bargining comes along. I am a sinner, and my comments are directed to myself as well. Praise be to Jesus Christ, unto the ages of ages, amen.

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