from sfgate.com: In the first conviction of a high-level Catholic Church official in the nationwide priest sexual-abuse scandal, a monsignor in the Philadelphia archdiocese was found guilty Friday of child endangerment for covering up allegations of abuse of children. Monsignor William Lynn, who supervised priests for the archdiocese, was accused of reassigning pedophile priests in an attempt to protect the church’s reputation and avoid lawsuits. A jury acquitted him, however, of conspiracy and another endangerment charge. Also on trial in the landmark case was the Rev. James Brennan, accused of rape and child endangerment. The jury of seven men and five women deadlocked on those charges, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial on those counts. Prosecutors could decide to re-try Brennan.