Priest saluted for guiding young colleagues

Peter Smith in the Louisville Courier-Journal: It was challenging enough to recruit young men for the Roman Catholic priesthood at a time when few were heeding such a call. But the Rev. Ronald Knott's job with the Archdiocese of Louisville became nearly impossible when the crisis of sexual abuse by clergy and others in the church hit its peak in 2002 and 2003. The crisis also threw Knott into the lowest point of his career, a depression he said many priests experienced then. But it got him thinking deeply about how many priests are overworked, isolated from each other and their parishioners and — in the case of new priests — poorly prepared for the realities of life as a pastor. Knott has published a book on the subject that struck a chord among priests, and he has given talks around the country. This April, his work will be recognized with a top honor by the National Federation of Priests' Councils. | Read more...

Photo: Michael Clevenger, The Courier-Journal