[Vision2020] Philadelphia priest: Not archdiocese's policy to tell police about abuse reports

[Art Deco]

*Philadelphia priest: Not archdiocese's policy to tell police about abuse
reports*
By Sarah Hoye, CNN
updated 8:11 PM EDT, Tue May 22, 2012
 CNN.com
   [image: Catholic Monsignor William Lynn is accused of covering up sexual
abuse of children by priests.]
Catholic Monsignor William Lynn is accused of covering up sexual abuse of
children by priests.

Philadelphia (CNN) -- A priest who assisted Monsignor William Lynn
investigate clergy sex abuse claims testified Tuesday that it was not the
archdiocese's policy to contact law enforcement or other victims of abuse.

"Our legal counsel said there was not a requirement to report," Monsignor
Michael McCulken told jurors.

The defense called its first three witnesses Tuesday in the child sexual
abuse and conspiracy trial of two Philadelphia priests, after the
prosecution rested last week.

On trial are the Rev. James Brennan, who is accused of the attempted rape
of a 14-year-old, and Monsignor William Lynn, who is accused of knowingly
allowing dangerous priests to continue in the ministry in roles in which
they had access to children.

Lynn is the first high-ranking church figure charged with child
endangerment for allegedly shuffling predator priests from parish to parish.

Defrocked priest Edward Avery was due to also go on trial with Brennan and
Lynn, but pleaded guilty in March to involuntary sexual deviate sexual
intercourse after admitting to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old altar boy
during the 1998-1999 school year at St. Jerome Parish.

Lynn, who was the secretary for clergy under former Philadelphia Archbishop
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, is accused of knowingly allowing Avery and
Brennan access to children despite allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
>From 1992 until 2004, Lynn was responsible for investigating reports that
priests had sexually abused children.

Both Brennan and Lynn have pleaded not guilty.

Also taking the witness stand was Monsignor William Beisel, who was Lynn's
assistant from 1993-1994. Beisel and Lynn drafted an infamous list of 35
priests suspected of sexually abusing children

Beisel told jurors that he and Lynn reviewed the files of priests accused
of sexual misconduct to draft the list.

"We did this after 5 o'clock. It seemed like forever, but took about two
weeks," he said. "I was happy the project was over."

The list was later found inside a locked safe that was drilled open in
2006. Still, the list of 35 Catholic priests accused or found guilty of
sexual misconduct, plus a memo ordering the shredding of the list of
priests plus other personnel documents, did not come to light until
February.

Although Beisel remembered penning the list, he confirmed for jurors that
he told the grand jury in 2004, "I don't recall seeing a priest that was
guilty of sexual misconduct."

Included on the list was defrocked priest Avery, categorized as "guilty of
sexual misconduct with a minor."

Avery, 69, was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years in prison after
his guilty plea.

"Are you trying to help your friend?" Assistant District Attorney Patrick
Blessington asked Beisel.

"Am I trying to help my friend? No. I'm trying to help get to the truth,"
Beisel said, adding that he left his position as Lynn's assistant because
he "did not like the job."

Two separate grand jury reports accused the archdiocese of failing to
investigate claims of sexual abuse of children by priests.

A 2011 report led the Philadelphia district attorney's office to criminally
charge four Philadelphia priests and a parochial school teacher with raping
and assaulting boys in their care, while Lynn was accused of allowing the
abusive priests to have access to children.

On May 4, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced resolutions to eight of
the 26 cases of priests on administrative leave as a result of the February
2011 grand jury report.

Yet, the archdiocese announced Sunday it ousted two priests -- not
connected to those cases -- due to allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

The trial represents the first time that U.S. prosecutors have charged not
just the priests who allegedly committed the abuses, but an official who
stands accused of failing to stop the assaults. Lynn had been responsible
from 1992 until 2004 for investigating reports that priests had sexually
abused children.

A gag order barring all parties involved in the criminal case from talking
to the media imposed by a Philadelphia judge remains in effect.


-- 
Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
art.deco.studios at gmail.com
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