Day 2 Of Cross Examination In Priest Sex Abuse Trial Proves Intense
By Pat Ciarrocchi
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Monsignor William Lynn walked to lunch with his family surrounding him, and for the first time all morning, his face wasn't blazing red.
The second day of cross examination was intense from the start.
The prosecutor, Assistant DA Patrick Blessington, named cases involving notorious priests -- with credible allegations of sexual abuse of children who remained in ministry.
One was Father Stanley Gana, who Blessington described as a monster with multiple victims. Blessington wanted to know how this case fell through the cracks.
"There was no excuse for it falling through the cracks. I'm not perfect," Lynn answered.
"Do you agree; Gana is a monster?" Blessington pressed.
"I agree he did horrible things," Lynn confirmed.
As secretary of the clergy for 12 years, Lynn's office managed priests' assignments, and when warranted, investigated allegations of abuse. Lynn had composed a list of 35 accused priests, with his source being a secret archival file.
During a barrage of questions, Monsignor Lynn swiveled in the witness chair, his face aflame.
"How many times did you pick up the phone and call the police?" Blessington asked Lynn.
"None."
"You wanted to keep the police away and keep the pedophiles hidden," Blessington concluded.
