Priest Gets Prison for Sex Crimes Cover up

WorldTVNews
July 24, 2012

http://worldtvnews.com/priest-gets-prison-for-sex-crimes-cover-up-07242012/

A group representing victims of child sexual abuse says the prison sentence given a Philadelphia priest who covered up crimes against children sends a powerful message to organizations across the country. Monsignor William Lynn did not sexually abuse children himself. He is the first Roman Catholic Church official convicted of covering up the actions of priests under his supervision.

Joelle Casteix, the western regional director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said Lynn deserved the maximum sentence of seven years. But she said the judge’s sentence of three-to-six years in prison is meaningful.

“This sentence sends a poweful message: cover up sex crimes and you’ll go to jail. Not house arrest. Not community service. Not a fine. You’ll be locked up,” Casteix said.

She thanked the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for “fighting for the victims from day one and for treating Msgr. Lynn like any other defendant, and not giving him special treatment because of his priestly status or powerful connections.”

Founded in 1988, SNAP has more than 12,000 members worldwide (SNAPNetwork.org). Despite the word “priest” in its name, SNAP’s membership includes victims who were molested by religious figures of all denominations and those who were abused in non-religious settings such as summer camps.

“We hope that those who see, suspect or suffer child sex crimes in any institutional setting will find the strength to come forward and make a report to police, especially now, since the Lynn case shows that sometimes justice, prevention and healing are possible,” Casteix said.