Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., 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 the pressures caused by a declining vocations.

WASHINGTON (AP)—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 Roman Catholic bishops said Monday.

Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., 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 the pressures caused by a declining vocations.

But "it has been a painful time for the vast majority of priests who did nothing to deserve (the) pain" caused by abuses crisis or the resulting "avalanche of negative publicity," Skylstad said.