US Archdiocese Named In Clergy Sex Abuse Case

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Prosecutors are calling the Archdiocese of Philadelphia an “unindicted co-conspirator” in a clergy sex abuse case, saying the Catholic Church fed predators a steady supply of children.

The comment comes in a key hearing Monday before the March trial of a high-ranking church official, a priest and an ex-priest.

Monsignor William Lynn is charged with conspiring with priests and church officials to keep accused priests in the ministry and parishioners uninformed.

To prove a conspiracy, prosecutors want to tell jurors about dozens of priests accused in a 2005 grand jury report. No charges were filed.

Archdiocese spokeswoman Donna Farrell says the church can’t comment on the “co-conspirator” accusation because of a gag order.