Bevilacqua deposition continues at his Wynwood residence

    After he was ruled competent to testify yesterday morning, retired Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua began answering questions in a deposition about how he handled accusations of clergy sexual abuse under his tenure.

    Prosecutors are preserving Bevilacqua’s testimony before a March trial of three accused priests and a former administrator.

     

    Monsignor William Lynn, his longtime secretary for clergy, is charged with felony child endangerment for allegedly transferring predator priests. Defense lawyers say he was acting on the cardinal’s orders. Three other priests and an ex-teacher are charged with rape.Bevilacqua, 88, has cancer and dementia. He is being deposed at his residence at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood.

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    A source with knowledge of the deposition said the questioning will resume today and could last all week. A gag order prevents lawyers from discussing the case.

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