Catholic bishops' meeting nears end, no vote on abuse plan

US Catholic bishops made clear their frustrations Wednesday as a national assembly focused on clergy sex-abuse neared its conclusion without strong new steps to combat the multifaceted crisis.

Avoiding any direct confrontation with the Vatican, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops ended the public sessions of its three-day meeting without any vote on two major anti-abuse proposals that had been drafted weeks ago.

On the eve of this week's meeting, the Vatican issued a surprise order for such action to be delayed until after a global meeting on sex abuse scheduled for February.

"The decision of the Holy See to constrain us did allow a limited response," Bishop Christopher Coyne of Burlington, Vermont said.

"All of us are disappointed that we weren't able to do as much as we wanted."
"We should say that for his sake, and out of respect for those he has harmed."
"We leave this place committed to take the strongest possible action at the earliest possible moment."