Catholic Bishops Elect New President

The new president of America’s Roman Catholic bishops has released the names of priests accused of molesting children and has reached out to victims but also plans to seek bankruptcy protection for his diocese because of abuse claims.

Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., was elected conference president Monday by his fellow bishops on the first ballot, days after announcing his diocese will go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Skylstad, who has served as conference vice president for the last three years, received 120 votes, or 52% of the total, in a field of 10 candidates. Every vice president who has sought the top job has won.

Chicago Cardinal Francis George was elected vice president for the next three-year term, which begins for both men at the end of this week’s fall meeting of U.S. bishops.

Advocates for victims have accused Skylstad of using bankruptcy to help his diocese avoid responsibility for mishandling abuse claims against priests. He is named in several lawsuits that accuse the Spokane Diocese of covering up molestation.

Skylstad insisted last week that the amount of damages being sought in lawsuits exceeded the diocese’s net worth. By month’s end, he said, Spokane will become the third U.S. diocese to file for bankruptcy, after Tucson and Portland, Ore.

“I have no doubt that the days ahead will continue to be days of both blessings and challenges for all of us. It would be easy to be intimidated by the challenges,” Skylstad said in brief remarks Monday. Still, “we together can look forward to the future with hope and joy.”