Philadelphia’s trial of Msgr. William Lynn for the systematic cover up by Catholic Church officials of pedophilia by priests continues.
The defense rests on two grounds: the advice of legal counsel that reporting to law enforcement was unnecessary, since the statute of limitations had run; and the orders of now deceased Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.
Of course, the Statute of Limitations had not yet run when many claims were initially made. Often, it was the delayed handling by church officials which caused the statute to run. Nor was there a re-examination of the issue, when the Statute of Limitations was extended by the legislature.
In fact, had the Catholic Church acted in the best interests of the victims, it could easily have waived the Statute of Limitations at any time.
As to the second ground, it was previously raised by Adolf Eichmann at the Nuremberg war crimes trials. He was “only following orders,” too.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 