Philadelphia Priest Trial To Resume With Monsignor Defense

After eight weeks of testimony by the prosecution, lawyers for Monsignor William Lynn are presenting their case Tuesday.

They are expected to argue that Lynn, the former secretary for clergy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is being unfairly held accountable for years of higher-ups failing to remove priests who abused children.

Lynn is the first Roman Catholic church official nationwide to be tried for covering up child sex abuse. In eight weeks of testimony that wrapped up last week, lawyers for the Philadelphia District Attorney's office sought to convince jurors that Lynn endangered children by letting two priests continue to lead parishes despite signs they were abusive.

John Martin, Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer, writes that while the charges against Msgr. Lynn are narrow, "the church itself seemed to be on trial" during testimony up to this point.