3 Priests, Schoolteacher Charged with Rape, UPI, February 10, 2011

3 Priests, Schoolteacher Charged with Rape

UPI
February 10, 2011

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/02/10/3-priests-schoolteacher-charged-with-rape/UPI-26981297364556/

From top left, Edward Avery, James Brennan, Charles Engelhardt and Bernard Shero, courtesy of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Three priests and a Roman Catholic schoolteacher were charged Thursday with raping two young boys over several years, Philadelphia prosecutors said.

The Revs. Edward Avery, 68, and Charles Engelhardt, 64, allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old boy at Philadelphia's St. Jerome Parish from 1998 to 1999, District Attorney Seth Williams said after a grand jury concluded there was enough evidence against them for a trial.

Sixth-grade schoolteacher Bernard Shero, 48, allegedly assaulted the same boy in 2000, Williams said.

The Rev. James Brennan, 47, allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old boy in 1996.

Philadelphia archdiocese clergy secretary Monsignor William Lynn, 60 -- responsible for investigating reports priests had sexually abused children between 1992 through 2004 -- was charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Williams said.Lynn allegedly knew of the priests' history but let them stay in ministry roles, knowing they would have access to young boys, Williams said.

Lynn "knew they were dangerous and chose to expose them to new victims," The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Williams as saying.

The three priests and schoolteacher face a maximum of 67 years in prison if convicted on all charges of rape, indecent sexual assault and related crimes.

Lynn faces a maximum of 14 years if convicted.

The grand jury also recommended the archdiocese overhaul its procedures for assisting victims and for removing priests accused of molesting minors.

Cardinal Justin Rigali, 75, the Philadelphia archbishop, said in a statement he would "consider carefully and take very seriously any observations and recommendations of this grand jury."

He also said he welcomed the opportunity to work with the district attorney's office "in the vital work of protecting children."

Thursday's charges came nearly 5 1/2 years after a separate grand jury excoriated the archdiocese for an "immoral coverup" of its sexually abusive clergy and for creating a climate that exposed hundreds of children to assault, the Inquirer said.