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December 27, 2013

U.S. Appeals Court Overturns Conviction of Clergy Official for Hiding Child Abuse 
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An appeals court has overturned the conviction of a top-ranking
clergyman of Pennsylvania's Roman Catholic Church for covering up child
sexual abuse by Philadelphia priests. Monsignor William Lynn was found
guilty last year of hiding the molestation by transferring predatory
priests to unsuspecting congregations. He was the highest-ranking U.S.
church official to be convicted of covering up child abuse to date. But
on Thursday, Lynn's conviction was overturned after a judge ruled he was
not legally responsible for a victim's welfare. Lynn remains jailed
pending an expected appeal by prosecutors, but his attorneys will now
seek his release on bail.

 

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