PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By Carrie Budoff, Kathleen Brady Shea and Benjamin Lowe
Inquirer Staff Writers
The grand jury report released last week on priest sexual abuse cases placed Msgr. William Lynn at the center of a church hierarchy that it said failed Philadelphia-area Catholics.
Now the pastor of St. Joseph Church in Downingtown, Lynn was tasked with casting light on dark allegations of misconduct as secretary of clergy for 12 years.
The report said Lynn played a key role under Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua in excusing misconduct, intimidating victims and shuffling questionable priests between parishes.
Last night, the monsignor addressed his congregation - many of whom said they had no inkling of his role in the abuse cases - and delivered an emotional homily punctuated by apologies, regret, sadness and disavowals.
Lynn, who has led St. Joseph for two years, told a standing-room-only crowd that he believed the 418-page report's depiction of him as "harsh to victims" was inaccurate.
"I would never put a child in harm's way," he said, offering to meet one on one with any parishioners who had concerns. "I'm going to leave that to your judgment."