Deliberations resume Monday in Philadelphia in the landmark trial of Monsignor William Lynn , the highest-ranking cleric charged with endangering children by allegedly helping cover up sexual abuse . Lynn , a defendant with another Philadelphia priest , is accused of knowingly allowing dangerous priests to continue in the ministry in roles in which they had access to children . Also on trial is the Rev . James Brennan , who is accused of the attempted rape of a 14-year-old . Both Brennan and Lynn have pleaded not guilty . Closing arguments in the case concluded Thursday and jurors began their deliberations Friday . Philadelphia priest abuse trial a test case for Catholic church . Lynn 's defense team argues that the monsignor repeatedly sent word of child sex abuse up the chain of command . He operated under strict orders from the late Archbishop Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua and never had the power to remove a priest from ministry , the defense team argues . It said Lynn was never formally trained to handle child sex abuse allegations and learned on the job . `` The allegation is that he did nothing , but he did n't do nothing , '' said Thomas Bergstrom , Lynn 's defense attorney . `` They want you to convict him for their sins . He held more than a candle to their shame , he put a spotlight on their shame , '' Bergstrom told jurors . Lynn donned his clerical garb , surrounded by numerous family members , priest friends and parishioners inside the courtroom . Lynn is the first high-ranking church figure charged with child endangerment for allegedly shuffling predator priests from parish to parish . If convicted , he faces up to 21 years in prison . Now-defrocked priest Edward Avery was due to go on trial with Brennan and Lynn , but he pleaded guilty in March after admitting to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old altar boy during the 1998-1999 school year . Avery , 69 , was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years in prison . More than 60 witnesses and alleged victims of clergy abuse have testified since the criminal trial began March 26 . Accusers for Brennan and Avery have claims that fall within the statute of limitations . Brennan 's accuser , now in his 30s , was a former altar boy who cried on the stand weeks earlier as he described the incident . The man , a former Marine , was discharged because of mental health issues . `` He will say anything at all to get what he wants , '' Brennan 's attorney , William Brennan , no relation to the defendant , told jurors about the accuser . `` Plug that into your credibility meter . '' Brennan was removed from active ministry in 2006 after his accuser first came forward . He admitted in 2008 that he allowed the then-14-year-old to view pornography and sleep in the same bed with him during an overnight visit in 1996 , according to testimony given to church investigators . Brennan did not testify at the trial . His attorney urged jurors to use their `` common sense '' once they began deliberations . `` It 's a mistake ; it 's poor judgment , '' Brennan told jurors of the sleepover . `` I ca n't believe a jury would destroy this man 's life over that . '' A 2011 grand jury report led the Philadelphia district attorney 's office to criminally charge four Philadelphia priests and a parochial school teacher with raping and assaulting boys in their care , while Lynn was accused of allowing the abusive priests to have access to children . The trial marks the first time U.S. prosecutors have charged not just the priests who allegedly committed the abuses , but an official -- Lynn -- who stands accused of failing to stop the assaults . A gag order bars all parties involved in the criminal case from talking to the media .
William Murphy is the highest - ranking priest to be charged with child abuse . If convicted , he faces up to 20 years in prison . Also on trial is the Rev . James Brennan , who is accused of the attempted rape of a 14-year - old .