Calling itself Better Church Governance, the group plans to enlist former F.B.I. agents to investigate cardinals on how they handled allegations of sexual abuse and whether they have remained faithful to their vows.

It was only a matter of time before lay people would take it upon themselves to investigate church scandals.

The crises in the Catholic Church demand long-term solutions that are best addressed by gradual discernment leading to broad consensus on the part of the college of bishops.

"In this case, however, we may need to allow this fire to keep burning," Bishop Lionel Gendron of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, Quebec, said.

The apology came on the same day that Pope Francis acknowledged that the sex abuse scandal rocking the Catholic Church was driving people away.

The contributions of Hispanic Catholics to the church and society show the beauty and excitement of their people and culture, but it can be messy and complicated at times.