The abuses these survivors suffered at the hands of priests were not crimes of passion, they said, but cold exploitations of control.

A research group aims to hold bishops accountable by compiling publicly available documents and reports on the child abuse crisis.

"We must never stand outside the church to judge her; we are the church. We all are responsible for the church, including when there are problems in the church."

Pope Francis issued a letter to Catholics around the world Monday condemning the "crime" of priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up and demanding accountability.

“I think we need complete transparency if we’re going to get the trust of the people back,” said Erie Bishop Lawrence T. Persico.

Sipe's research into celibacy and priestly sexual behavior helped guide the work of church leaders and others responding to the clergy sexual abuse crisis.