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	Local Catholics Speak up for Bishop By Jane Gargas Yakima Herald-Republic March 9, 2006 http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/285584077749806 Catholics in Yakima reacted with dismay Wednesday to a Spokane woman's sex-abuse allegations against Bishop William Skylstad, former bishop of the Yakima Diocese. Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and leader of the Spokane Diocese, is widely respected here, said Monsignor John Ecker of St. Paul Cathedral. "I've always held him in the highest esteem," said Ecker. "He's the last person you would ever imagine doing this. But I wasn't there." Skylstad categorically denied the allegations, filed with the Spokane Diocese. The woman claims that he sexually abused her from 1961 to 1964. During Skylstad's tenure as bishop here, from 1977 to 1990, he was known as a strong leader who made hard decisions when he had to, Ecker recalled. One of those decisions was closing down Carroll High School, a Catholic school, in the mid-1980s. The decision was unpopular, but Skylstad weathered the storm, said Ecker. Local businessman Dwight Miller worked with Skylstad on educational matters when Miller served on the school board of St. Joseph/Marquette School about 20 years ago. On Wednesday, Miller said it was disturbing to hear of possible sexual abuse. "You pray for both people, but you don't know what to pray about," he said. Miller added, "Lives are ruined by abuse, but they're ruined by false allegations, too. That's what's so unsettling about this." Colleen Kaluzny, an elementary school counselor who has attended Yakima Catholic churches for 20 years, said she was appalled to hear the allegations. "I'm shocked that he would be directly involved in abuse," she said. "I hope it's not true." That sentiment — hoping the charges are false — was the prevailing one among local Catholics. "Bishop Skylstad's character was never under question here, not even a shadow," said Ecker. Skylstad was born in Omak, the first of six children. He grew up on an apple farm in the Methow Valley and was ordained a priest in 1960.
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