The priest, Father Basil Hutsko, suffered a concussion in the attack at St. Michael Church, and was scheduled to undergo further tests to determine the extent of his injuries.

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.

Cardinal O'Malley was supposed to moderate a panel, "Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults," at the World Meeting of Families. He said in a statement that "he will closely follow the proceedings from the Archdiocese of Boston."

Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, current nuncio to Mozambique, will take up his new position as "substitute secretary for general affairs" Oct. 15. Archbishop Pena, 58, succeeds Italian Cardinal Giovanni Becciu, the new prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.

"This transparency and objectivity I promise you will include a thorough review of our safe environment policies and procedures by an outside investigator," Bishop Conley said.

Archbishop Gregory said Catholics are specifically "enraged" about allegations of abuse by Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick and find "any pastoral negligence in protecting our people is similarly grievous."

The letter also requested that health plans which include abortion notify consumers of that fact at the time of enrollment to prevent consumers from buying such plans if they who do not wish to.

Officials said most of the casualties were caused by falling rubble as buildings collapsed. There were no reported foreigners among the dead, but some media reports claimed several fatalities in the neighboring Gili Islands.

On July 5, the Nicaraguan police, with masked and armed paramilitary support, attacked Sutiaba. The "clean-up operation," as the government called it, resulted in three dead among the parishioners of Father Morales' St. Peter Church.

"I continue to be deeply concerned about the victims and the ongoing pain and suffering they endure," Bishop Zubik said in the letter, read at all Masses.