Priest Charged with Sexual Assault of 11-year-old Altar Boy

My Fox Philly
September 26, 2013

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/23542310/priest-under-arrest-after-alleged-assault

[with video]

"A serial predator is now behind bars thanks to the brave actions of this young man."

Those words from District Attorney Seth Williams as he announced the arrest of 75-year-old Rev. Robert L. Brennan on charges that he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old altar boy here at the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish from 1998 to 2001.

"The assaults took place in the sacristy of the church, in Reverend Brennan's bedroom in the rectory. In a storage area on parish property and at a movie theater.

Brennan was arrested at a private residence in Maryland Wednesday night. The DA says the now 26-year-old victim bravely came forward last January and told officials at the Archdiocese.

"The Archdiocese is to be commended for immediately reporting this case to our office," Williams told reporters.

Williams went on to say that convicted Monsignor William Lynn continued to transfer Father Brennan from church to church to church despite numerous warnings about Brennan. Even reports at Resurrection of Our Lord parish..

"William Lynn never reported to law enforcement any, any of the many allegations he heard about Brennan," Williams said.

"It's a nice parish, it's a shame," said one parishioner as others reacted strongly to the new allegations.

"It's like old news. It's nasty, it's disgusting," said Kathy Giacomelli, who's been a parishioner here for 40 years.

"I understand they're sick, but I think people like that should not be allowed back into the population," said another local resident.

The DA says he would have charged Monsignor Lynn with endangering the welfare of a child in this case, but the case missed the statute requirements by just three months. Father Brennan was extradited back here to Philadelphia.

The Archdiocese says Brennan has not served in active ministry since his name surfaced in an earlier Grand Jury report in 2005.

Tom Bergstrom, the lawyer for Monsignor Lynn, called William's comments about his client today "offensive" and pointed out that his client has appealed his conviction to a higher court. Lynn is now serving three to six years in prison.

A serial predator is now behind bars thanks to the brave actions of this young man. Those words are from District Attorney Seth Williams as he announced the arrest of 75-year-old Rev. Robert l. Brennan.

Brennan is accused of sexually assaulted an 11-year-old altar boy here at the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish from 1998 to 2001.

The assaults allegedly took place in the sacristy of the church in Reverend Brennan's bedroom in the rector inside a storage area on parish property and at a movie theater.

Brennan was arrested at a private residence in Maryland Wednesday night. The DA said the now 26-year old victim bravely came forward last January and told officials at the Arch Diocese.

Williams went on to say that convicted monsignor William Lynn continued to transfer father Brennan from church to church despite numerous warning even reports at resurrection of our lord parish.

Parishioners reacted strongly to the new allegations.

Now the DA says he would have charged Monsignor Lynn with endangering the welfare of a child in this case, but the case missed the statute requirements by just three months.