The attorney representing the former archbishop of Philadelphia says his client is too sick to appear in court next month and should be allowed to testify privately at home about the handling of allegations of sex abuse by priests.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says attorney Brian McMonagle accused prosecutors Tuesday of wanting 88-year-old Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua to “walk the gauntlet” to the courthouse, but prosecutors said they don't want to treat him differently from any other witness in a criminal case.
Sixty-year-old Monsignor William Lynn, the secretary for clergy under Bevilacqua, is charged with child endangerment and conspiracy in the transfer of predator priests to new parishes, the first U.S. church official charged in the priest-abuse scandal. A Sept. 12 hearing is scheduled to determine whether Bevilacqua is fit to testify.
