Church Lawyer: Philly Cardinal, Aides Lied to Me

By Maryclaire Dale
Seattle Times
May 14, 2012

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2018206425_apuspriestabusetrial.html

A longtime Archdiocese of Philadelphia lawyer says a deceased Roman Catholic cardinal and his top aides lied about shredding a key piece of evidence in the clergy-abuse scandal.

Lawyer Tim Coyne said Monday that Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua never replied when he was trying to find an internal list of 35 predator-priests in 2004 and 2006. Coyne says Bevilacqua's top aides denied knowing where to find it.

Prosecutors pursuing a grand jury investigation were seeking the 1994 list.

The list was found early this year - 10 days after Bevilacqua died. An attached memo says Bevilacqua ordered top aides to shred it in 1994, after Monsignor William Lynn prepared it.

Lynn, the secretary for clergy, is on trial, charged with child endangerment for allegedly helping the archdiocese keep predators in ministry.