Testimony of Abuse By Priests Piles Up In Philadelphia Child-Sex Coverup Case
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The prosecution in the Philadelphia clergy child abuse case continues to focus in on the heart of its case -- alleged lies and coverups -- as it presented evidence today of another priest allowed to remain in ministry even after allegations of sexual predation (see related stories).
One victim, a seminarian preparing for priesthood, came forward in 1992 alleging that Father Stanley Gana had molested him a decade earlier, during his teen years.
But Father Gana continued as pastor of a suburban Pennsylvania parish.
Another victim came forward in 1995, but still Father Gana continued as pastor until the end of that year, and was then allowed to resign for "health reasons" with the blessing of church officials, including Monsignor William Lynn.
Gana continued in limited ministry until 2002, despite allegedly confessing in therapy in 1996 to abusing several boys, having sex with adult women, and drug and alcohol abuse.
One document from the "secret archives" of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia purportedly indicates that Msgr. Lynn told a victim that Father Gana continued to deny the allegations, even when Lynn knew there had been an admission by Gana.
