PHILADELPHIA, March 27 (UPI) -- An ex-Philadelphia Catholic official charged with covering up sexual abuse misled people about a priest's leave of absence, letters read in court Tuesday show.
Monsignor William J. Lynn, who was secretary of clergy for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the 1990s, is the first church official to be charged with protecting abusive priests.
Letters Lynn wrote two members of the Rev. Edward Avery's congregation were read in court, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. In both, Lynn said Avery was on leave for health reasons.
Avery, who was removed from priesthood several years ago and was expected to go on trial with Lynn and the Rev. James Brennan, pleaded guilty last week to molesting an altar boy. Brennan, who is still a priest, is also charged with sexual abuse.
One woman inquired about rumors that Avery had been accused of sexual abuse.
"Let me assure you, that is what they are: rumors," Lynn replied in a letter read to the jury. "Father Avery had requested a health leave from Cardinal (Anthony) Bevilacqua, which was granted."
Other records admitted into evidence showed Lynn interviewed a young man who accused Avery of sexual abuse in the 1970s in a suburban parish and recommended evaluation and later treatment at St. John Vianney Hospital.
The trial opened Monday.
