For the first time in the history of the
Roman Catholic Church in the United States a senior church official has
appeared in court on charges of covering up the activities of predator
priests.
Irish American Monsignor
William J. Lynn was vicar of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992
to 2004.
It is believed that he will be the first managerial-level
church official not charged with abusing minors but protecting those who
did so.
The New York Times
reports that Monsignor Lynn was indicted on two counts of endangering
the welfare of children last month and was placed on administrative
leave.
He is contesting the charges and will appear in court.
He could
face up to 14 years in prison.
The
historic indictment of Monsignor Lynn sent shock waves across the
country and shows that the criminal justice system is no longer afraid
to go after the church hierarchy.
In the
past there were four major cases in Boston, Cincinnati, Phoenix and
Manchester, NH where prosecutors began criminal investigations into
high-ranking church officials.
According to Terence McKiernan of
"BishopAccountablity.org" all of these investigations were stopped short
and no charges were brought against them.
Head
of the department of religious studies at Cabrini College in Radnor,
PA, Leonard Norman Primiano said Monsignor Lynn’s court appearance “will
be seen as one of those significant moments when the state is asking
the church to pay for its inadequacies.”
Along
with Monsignor Lynn a defrocked priest and a parochial school teacher
both charged with sexual abuse of minors will appear in court.