Since this was reported in the news paper by an associated press reporter I’m taking it with a grain of salt.  That said, here we go!!

Monsignor Bill Lynn, on trial in Philadelphia for child endangerment, testified at his trial, (never a good idea).  On this day of Pentecost when the third person of the Trinity was sent down on God’s people to teach, advocate and guide us all as well as guide the Church I must comment on what Msgr. Lynn was quoted as saying; “For 12 years I preached to priests that the will of God works through your bishops as far as assignments go.”

 Now I understand.  I was molested by a priest who had two complaints of molestation against him at a previous parish because God, working through the bishop at the time, sent him to an assignment that guaranteed he would meet me.  (Sarcasm by me!)

Just because the Holy Spirit works in the Church  as a guide with the bishops does not mean that the bishops listen.  Free-will guarantees that we all have the option to ignore God.  Which makes that quote from Msgr. Lynn, (if accurate) asinine.  So many people who have been sexually abused blame God already.  And these are people who didn’t get abused by clergy members.  GOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SEXUAL ABUSE!!!  To say something like that is an insult to people of faith and a blasphemy against God.

I believe that Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, (who should have died in prison), and John Cardinal Krol before him, (who also should have died in prison), did want to keep these molesting priests and their many victims a secret. 

The other thing that Msgr. Lynn is quoted as saying is he was simply following orders.  That did not work as a defense for Nazi concentration camp administrators, doctors and guards so logic dictates that it should not work here.  All priests know, or they should know, that you do not have any obligation to obey orders that are evil or promote evil.

The absolutely terrifying thing about this way of thinking is that is so prevalent.  It is not just prevalent in the clergy but is also in politics, business, the military…all aspects of life.  God save us from ourselves.