But Catholic educators and other experts said the abuse scandal was not the reason for the decline.

That promotion itself was an effect of the church's sexual abuse scandal.

Now the pope's spokesman is blaming them for the sexual abuse scandal.

The accusations against him were brought to the attention of the district attorney's office before the current sexual abuse scandal became known.

Until the sexual abuse scandals of the last year, he said, "I had pretty much blocked it out."

Changing those cultural, theological and political systems identified by the current abuse scandal is a critical next step.

The sexual abuse scandal has taken a financial toll on the diocese.

Father Shanley, 71, has become a central figure in the sexual abuse scandals.

Other bishops, however, have been meeting with victims in years past, and more recently as the sexual abuse scandal has spread.

He is also relatively untainted by the sexual abuse scandal.