BishopAccountability.org
 
  Bishops Conference President Accused of Sexual Abuse

Chicago Tribune
March 9, 2006

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0603090189
mar09,1,1195702.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON -- A woman has filed a claim that she was sexually abused more than 40 years ago by Bishop William Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and leader of the Spokane diocese.

Skylstad issued a statement Wednesday categorically denying the accusation, saying he has not violated the vow of celibacy he took 47 years ago.

The claim was filed against the diocese Dec. 27 by a woman who said she was under 18 when Skylstad sexually abused her at St. Patrick's Parish and at Gonzaga University from December 1961 to December 1964.

Skylstad, 70, was a student at Gonzaga in 1962-66 and taught mathematics at Mater Cleri Seminary at Colbert, north of Spokane.

The diocese is one of three in the nation that filed for bankruptcy protection to deal with claims of clergy sexual abuse.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.