( CNN ) -- Monsignor William Lynn , the highest-ranking cleric accused of imperiling children by helping cover up sexual abuse , was found guilty Friday of one count of child endangerment . He was found not guilty on a second count of endangerment and a conspiracy charge to protect a priest accused of abuse . The jury was unable to bring a verdict against his co-defendant , the Rev . James Brennan , who was charged with attempted rape of a 14-year-old altar boy and endangering the welfare of a child . Lynn was taken into custody after Friday 's verdict , when the judge revoked his bail . His lawyer , Jeffrey Lindy , derided the decision not to let his client remain free on bond prior to sentencing , calling it `` an unspeakable miscarriage of justice ( for ) a 61-year-old man with no prior record and long established ties to the community . '' He is set to be sentenced August 13 , court officials said , and could face up to seven years in prison for his conviction on a third-degree felony . The trial marked the first time U.S. prosecutors charged not just priests who allegedly committed abuses but church leaders for failing to stop them . Calling the verdict `` historic , '' Philadelphia District attorney R. Seth Williams said Friday 's decision sends a message about potential consequences of not reporting sexual abuse . `` Many people of many generations have unclean hands when it comes to this silence , '' Williams said , adding that others could also be investigated . Terence McKiernan , who heads the advocacy website BishopAccountability.org , called the conviction `` a watershed moment in the Catholic abuse crisis . '' `` Because of the Lynn verdict , bishops and church officials are now accountable . They are no longer immune from judgment and punishment , '' McKiernan said . And Marci Hamilton , a victims ' rights attorney , said the jury 's verdict Friday -- as well as the decision by now-defrocked priest Edward Avery to plead guilty after admitting to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old altar boy -- suggests `` the picture is now clear that the Philadelphia archdiocese permitted crimes against children . '' The archdiocese issued its own statement after the verdict , though it did not mention the trial or either Lynn or Brennan by name . It did , however , insist that `` the lessons of the last year have made our Church a more vigilant guardian of our people 's safety . '' `` The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is on a journey of reform and renewal that requires honesty and hope , '' it said . `` We are committed to providing support and assistance to parishioners as they and the Church seek to more deeply understand sexual violence , and to create an environment that is safe and welcoming to all , including past victims . '' Attorneys : Cardinal ordered memo on priests destroyed . Lynn 's attorney said he felt the jury agreed there was no `` far flung conspiracy , '' though he conceded the prosecution `` scored a victory '' in securing the lone conviction -- one that made he and the monsignor `` extremely upset . '' `` By finding him guilty , they 're saying he helped endanger children , '' Lindy said . `` It 's the last thing he wanted to do . ... I do n't think he 's the evil person the district attorney is making him out to be . '' Bill Donahue of the Catholic League , an advocacy group devoted to challenging defamation of or discrimination against Catholics , called the verdict a defeat for overzealous prosecutors and victims advocates who he claimed had unfairly targeted church leaders . `` The witch hunt has come to an end , and those who have been clamoring for blood lost big time , '' Donahue said in a statement . `` They wanted the big prize -- they wanted to nail a high-ranking clergyman on conspiracy . ... Looks like their car ran out of gas in Philadelphia . '' More than 60 witnesses and alleged clergy abuse victims testified during Lynn and Brennan 's criminal trial , which began March 26 and wrapped up May 31 , with jury deliberations beginning the next day . Lynn 's defense team argued that their client repeatedly told higher-ups about the alleged abuse and , under strict orders from late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua , had no authority to remove priests from the ministry . Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington characterized Lynn 's behavior as `` disgraceful , '' `` shameful '' and `` ridiculous , '' sarcastically calling him a `` hero '' who put young people in harm 's way . `` He actually looked you in the eye and said he put victims first . How dare he ? '' the prosecutor asked jurors during his more than 2Â½-hour closing argument . Lynn 's conspiracy count related to an allegation that he schemed with Avery and other archdiocese officials to endanger children . Avery had been due to go on trial with Brennan and Lynn , but he pleaded guilty in March to a sexual assault that occurred during the 1998-99 school year . The 69-year-old was sentenced to 2Â½ to five years in prison . Brennan himself was removed from the active ministry in 2006 . Two years later , he admitted that he had allowed the youngster to view pornography and sleep in the same bed with him in 1996 , according to church investigators ' testimony . CNN 's Ross Levitt contributed to this report .
NEW : Lynn is `` extremely upset ; '' his lawyer says he should be free on bond before sentencing . Philadelphia 's district attorney hails the verdict as `` historic , '' says others could be charged . The monsignor is found guilty of one count of child endangerment and acquitted on two others . The jury was unable to bring a verdict against his co-defendant , the Rev . James Brennan .