Are his fellow prisoners likely to have the discernment to distinguish a coverer-up from an actual paedophile, and how will they treat him? I am not optimistic.

Is RD saying that the prisoners should treat him differently from the way they would treat a priest who did abuse children? What way should or shouldn't they treat him, and why does that matter? What is RD 'not optimistic' about?

Is the conviction of Monsignor Lynn designed to take the heat off the real evil, which is the entire culture of the Catholic church?

Designed by whom? The state authorities that took the case against him?

Can the church claim that, because individual priests are put in prison, that lets them off the hook?

Who is making that claim? Isn't the CC complaining that the sentence was too harsh?