PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer
By John P. Martin
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Twice in 1993, Msgr. William J. Lynn received letters from parishioners at St. Therese of the Child Jesus church who were concerned because their pastor, the Rev. Edward V. Avery, took an unexplained leave.
As secretary for clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Lynn knew the reason: A 29-year-old man had told Lynn that Avery molested him in the 1970s. Lynn had recommended that the Mount Airy pastor get a confidential evaluation and treatment.
But Lynn didn’t disclose that in his replies to the two parishioners, a detective testified Tuesday. One letter warned a woman to disregard the rumors about Avery. A second said Lynn’s office never received “anything but compliments” about the priest.
“Another letter (and) no mention of the sexual abuse of a minor?” Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington asked Det. Joseph Walsh.
“That is correct,” Walsh said.
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