By Sarah Hoye, CNN

Philadelphia (CNN) – It’s been four weeks since the beginning of the trial of the highest ranking U.S. Catholic Church leader charged with covering up the crimes of priests against children.

The main issue is not whether sex abuse occurred, as defense attorneys have pointed out, but how the Archdiocese of Philadelphia – Monsignor William Lynn in particular – handled the allegations against priests in the diocese.

The trial against Lynn and the alleged offending priest, the Rev. James Brennan, has already created a shake-up in Philadelphia’s Catholic leadership, according to Catholic commentator and blogger Rocco Palmo.

“It’s a shift you see once in 200 years,” Palmo told CNN.

…

Since the trial’s March 26 start, a number of alleged victims of clergy abuse have testified. Prosecutors are using the testimony of witnesses with allegations against priests who are not on trial to build their case that Lynn knowingly shuffled predator priests to unwitting parishes.

Just over a week into the trial, Brennan’s lone accuser, a former altar boy, took the witness stand, alleging the priest had molested him during an overnight visit.

The man, now in his 30s, is part of the 2011 grand jury report whose claim falls within Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations.

The witness spent nearly two days on the stand, breaking down each time he described an overnight stay with Brennan. He is a former Marine who was discharged because of mental health issues.

“I was a little boy. I didn’t know what to do,” he testified through sobs. “I was scared. I was afraid that if I said no he’d kill me or something.”

The mother of the alleged victim, who testified the following week, said she will never know what happened between her son and Brennan, who she said was like a brother to her.

“I’ll never forgive myself,” she said.

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