Monsignor, Priests Plead Not Guilty

The highest ranking official in Philadelphia's growing Catholic church sex abuse scandal pleaded not guilty in court on Friday.

In fact, Monsignor William Lynn, three local priests and a former Catholic school teacher all asserted their innocence during a brief court arraignment this morning.

The arraignment itself was standard stuff with arguments over evidence sharing, and scheduling matters.

But outside the courthouse, protesters were present, showing how this scandal has rocked the Catholic church.

Lynn is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors claim Lynn supervised two of his fellow defendants, and he knew they were dangerous predators and knowingly exposed them to new victims.

Charged with rape and sex assault are reverends Charles Engelhardt, Edward Avery and James Brennan, along with former catholic school teacher Bernard Shero.

The advocacy group Voice Of The Faithful called for the conference of Catholic bishops to amend its rules, and to make victim advocacy programs independent of the church.

Voice Of The Faithful also wants the church to stop fighting efforts to extend the statute of limitations on sex abuse cases.