Monsignor William Lynn was found guilty yesterday of one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
He is the highest-ranking US Roman Catholic official convicted in the church child sex abuse scandal.
The jury acquitted Lynn on two other counts, conspiracy and another charge of child endangerment.
The jury deliberated for 13 days before reaching the mixed decision. Lynn faces up to seven years in prison on the child endangerment conviction.
Lynn was accused of conspiracy and child endangerment in what prosecutors said was an effort to cover up child sex abuse allegations, often by transferring priests to unsuspecting parishes.
Lynn (61) oversaw hundreds of priests in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. His job was to supervise 800 priests, including investigating sex abuse claims, from 1992 to 2004.
Prosecutors argued that Lynn chose to protect the church at the expense of children, in an effort to avoid scandal and potential loss of financial support for the church. – (Reuters)