US bishops insist morale high among priests despite abuse revelations

AMERICAN priests maintain high morale and enjoy the appreciation of parishioners despite the molestation of minors perpetrated by a few among their ranks, the president of the nation’s Catholic bishops said yesterday.

In a speech defending the clergy, Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Washington, told a meeting of the nation’s bishops that three recent studies show “the high level of morale among priests” despite the sex abuse crisis and pressures caused by a decline in vocations. Also, “there is every indication that the Catholic people appreciate their priests,” he added.

“It has been a painful time for the vast majority of priests who did nothing to deserve (the) pain” caused by abuse crises or the resulting “avalanche of negative publicity,” Skylstad said.