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Catholic News Service
PHILADELPHIA — Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina closed the latest chapter in the clergy sexual abuse scandal in Philadelphia by sentencing Msgr. William Lynn to three to six years in state prison.
During the sentencing hearing July 24, after more than two hours of arguments and letters presented from victims and Msgr. Lynn’s defense, Sarmina handed down a sentence just shy of the maximum seven years.
PHILADELPHIA — The jury reached a partial verdict June 22 in the clergy sex abuse trial.
Msgr. William Lynn, former archdiocesan secretary for clergy, was found guilty on one count of child endangerment and acquitted on two other charges, including conspiracy.
WHEELING, W.Va. — Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston said secondhand allegations that he sexually abused a teenage boy are “unbelievable and shocking” as well as completely false.
The accusations against Bishop Bransfield, who was ordained a priest for the Philadelphia Archdiocese, were raised April 18 by a witness at the trial of two Philadelphia priests on sex abuse-related charges. The witness said another Philadelphia priest who has since been removed from ministry told him about the alleged abuse by Bishop Bransfield.
