The sexual-abuse case against several former Archdiocesan priests saw a big development this week as one of the prosecution’s key witnesses died.
Former Archbishop of Philadelphia Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua died in his sleep Tuesday night. The 88-year-old served as archbishop from 1988-2003 and reportedly suffered from cancer and dementia.
His tenure was tarnished by a number of priest sex-abuse scandals, including last year’s sweeping grand-jury investigation suggesting allegations against dozens of priests were mishandled or ignored under Bevilacqua.
The grand jurors wrote that they “would like to hold Cardinal Bevilacqua accountable,” suggesting that “his knowing and deliberate actions during his tenure as Archbishop endangered thousands of children in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.”
The investigation resulted in five arrests: three Archdiocesan priests and one lay teacher who were accused of sexually abusing young boys, as well as Monsignor William Lynn, Bevilacqua’s secretary for clergy, who is thought to be the first Catholic official in the nation charged for his role in allegedly covering up sex-abuse cases.
In the past few months, prosecutors have been pressing for Bevilacqua to testify in the case, a move defense attorneys opposed.
After a deposition at Bevilacqua’s residence in November, Judge Theresa Sarmina ruled him competent to testify, a finding she reaffirmed the day before his death.
Jury selection begins Feb. 22 and testimony in the trial, expected to last several months, will begin March 26.
As leader of the Philadelphia Catholic community, Bevilacqua repeatedly drew the ire of the LGBT community.
He called homosexuality “an aberration” and a “moral evil,” and said celibate gay priests would be incompatible with priesthood and likely to commit sexual abuse.
He also led the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference in opposition of pro-LGBT laws.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].