Philly Church Official's Case Heading to Pa. High Court; Lynn Served Half His 3-year Term

By Maryclaire Dale
Daily Reporter
May 8, 2014

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/6747372fdd5f41c0a689dfc6c68c8100/PA--Priest-Abuse-Appeal

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will review the landmark prosecution of a Roman Catholic church official tried over his handling of sex-abuse complaints.

Monsignor William Lynn was convicted of felony child endangerment at a high-profile 2012 trial, and served 18 months in prison.

However, an appeals court unanimously threw out the conviction last year.

Philadelphia prosecutors want the conviction restored, and the state Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear the case.

The 63-year-old Lynn is now on house arrest at a city rectory.

He served as secretary of clergy in the Philadelphia archdiocese from 1992 to 2004.

Lynn was the first U.S. church official ever charged or convicted over his handling of abuse complaints.

Defense lawyers argue that he was never legally responsible for any child's welfare.