In Philadelphia, the jury convicted Monsignor William J. Lynn of one count of the four he had been on trial for. That count, reports THE LEGAL INTELLIGENCER, is allowing children to be within proximity of sexually abusive priests. He did not participate in the abuse himself.
The implications for other past and present leaders in the Catholic Church are huge. Now they could face legal action even though they did not themselves abuse children. If the abuse happened on their watch, they could, like Lynn, be facing trials. If convicted they could go to prison. Sentencing will be August 13.
If legal action is taken against those Catholic Church leaders, costs associated with their defense could bankrupt the institution. Needless to say, the media coverage of the litigation could destroy what trust has remained in the religion since the BOSTON GLOBE broke the story of the sex abuse and cover up in 2002. Until now, Catholicism has been one of the most influential and enduring global brands.
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