That question and Sarmina's response exposed the subtle tension that ran through much of the hearing Tuesday as prosecutors and defense lawyers worked to finalize the more than 50 questions they will pose to the pool of 250 potential jurors later this month.
At its heart is this question: Will the trial focus narrowly on the actions of the three defendants or include a broader review of archdiocese's handling of sex-abuse allegations over decades?
Judging by the report issued by a Philadelphia grand jury nearly a year ago, prosecutors are aiming for the latter.
The 124-page document outlines years of allegations against at least 37 clergymen and condemns the church hierarchy for failing to report the claims to police and shuffling the accused between parishes for years.
Only a handful of priests could be charged because many of the purported acts fell outside the statute of limitations, the panel concluded.
Grand jurors recommended charges against the Rev. James J. Brennan and Edward Avery, now a former priest, for allegedly abusing boys in separate incidents in the 1990s.
Lynn stands accused of child endangerment and conspiracy for allegedly placing the pair in positions where they could continue to abuse children.
As secretary for clergy until 2004, he was tasked with investigating sex-abuse allegations against priests and recommending treatment or new assignments for them.
During Tuesday's hearing, Sarmina seemed inclined to limit the trial's scope to Lynn and his codefendants - at least when it comes to questioning jurors.
