Monsignor William J. Lynn was in charge of supervising some 800 priests and investigating abuse complaints for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1992 to 2004.
Prosecutors had charged the former archbishop aide of putting more children at risk by attempting to save the church’s reputation and playing down credible accusations.
Lynn argued that he had produced a list of pedophile priests and had tried to persuade some of them to leave their posts and seek treatment.
The 61-year-old was denied bail and faces up to seven years in prison on the conviction. He is to remain in custody until a sentence hearing on August 13.
Rights groups call the court’s decision a milestone in the sexual abuse scandals of the Catholic Church.
However, the court found Lynn not guilty of conspiracy and a second child endangerment charge.
SZH/HN
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