Clergy Abuse Plaintiff Seeks Judgment Based on Lynn Conviction

By P.j. D'annunzio
Legal Intelligencer
May 15, 2015

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The plaintiff in a civil clergy sex-abuse case is asking the court for summary judgment against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Monsignor William Lynn based on the reinstatement of Lynn's criminal conviction.

Billy Doe, who alleged that he was sexually abused by priests as a minor, claimed in court papers that Lynn, in his role as an archdiocese administrator, knowingly shuffled priests accused of misconduct from parish to parish across the state where they could come into contact with children. The civil case was filed under the pseudonym "Billy Doe."

The Legal does not name confirmed or alleged victims of abuse.

The Supreme Court's April reinstatement of Lynn's criminal conviction of endangering the welfare of children means the archdiocese and Lynn can be held civilly liable, Doe claimed.

Lynn's attorney, Thomas Bergstrom of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, said he had not yet had a chance to review Doe's motion, but he would file a response before the deadline in early June. He declined to comment further.