US Priest Trial Reveals Church Abuse Strategy

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Experts say a landmark priest-abuse trial in Philadelphia is revealing how the Catholic church handled complaints about accused predators.

Albany Law School professor Timothy Lytton says that may be as important as the verdict.

Monsignor William Lynn is charged with endangering children by keeping predators in ministry when he served as secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004. The 61-year-old Lynn faces a long prison term if convicted.

Documents presented to the jury last week show the church transferring priests to new parishes after they admitted abusing children, or fantasizing about it.

Phil Gaughan of Delaware says he was abused by a Philadelphia priest throughout his high school years. He calls the trial “a step in the right direction.”