Key Ruling Expected In Philly Priest-abuse Case

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Will a Catholic monsignor be left to defend the sins of the Philadelphia archdiocese in the child sex-abuse scandal?

A judge Wednesday may rule on whether prosecutors can use dozens of old priest-abuse allegations at Monsignor William Lynn’s upcoming child-endangerment trial.

Defense lawyers insist Lynn should only be tried for his oversight of the priest and ex-priest on trial with him on rape charges.

The 61-year-old Lynn is accused of failing to weed them out despite sex-abuse complaints kept in secret church files.

Lynn served as secretary for clergy at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004, most of it under former Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

Lynn’s co-defendants are 69-year-old Edward Avery and 48-year-old Rev. James Brennan.

The trial is set for March 26, after jury selection next month.