Prosecutors in Philadelphia deposed the 88-year-old Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua in case his declining health prevents his appearance at the March trial of three Philadelphia priests, a former teacher and a church administrator. The three priests and the former teacher are charged with raping boys. The church administrator, Msgr. William Lynn, right, Bevilacqua’s longtime secretary for clergy, is charged with felony child endangerment and conspiracy. Church lawyers fought to block the cardinal’s testimony—he suffers from cancer and dementia—but Judge M. Teresa Sarmina deemed him competent on Nov. 28. Defense lawyers argue that Lynn was following orders from Bevilacqua, who led the archdiocese from 1988 to 2003.
Bevilacqua Deposed in Philadelphia
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