Local Reactions to Monsg Lynn Getting Bail

My Fox Philly
December 30, 2013

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/24329624/reactions-to

[with video]

"I'm disgusted by the Superior Court's cavalier disregard for the child victims…"

District Attorney Seth Williams says that the battle to get Monsignor William Lynn back behind bars has just begun.

After serving 18 months of his 36 year sentence, Monsignor William Lynn will be released from prison on bail. The 62-year old former Secretary of Clergy for the Archdiocese was convicted in July of 2012 for covering up sex abuse claims in his role of assigning priests.

Last week in state superior court, the landmark conviction was overturned on the grounds that the child endangerment law that he was convicted under didn't apply to him...

"He's gonna be out of jail and that's what pleases me. And we can accommodate your honor and we will so," said Tim Bergstrom, the defense lawyer.

In addition to posting bail, Monsignor Lynn was ordered to turn over his passport, wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and report weekly to law enforcement officials.

"It's heartbreaking in a way because no one is held accountable," said Kevin Waldrip, a protestor.

Protestors who braved the cold outside today's bail hearing say that they hope the DA wins an appeal

"Clearly the overturn of Monsg William Lynn's conviction was an injustice that sends the wrong message to Philadelphians and every victim," DA Williams said.

The Survivor's Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said in a statement today:

Msgr. Lynn's callousness, recklessness and deceit caused kids to be hurt and predators to walk free. We hope that Pennsylvania's highest court will re-instate his conviction.