Gallup Bishop investigates his priests

It's interesting to note that the newly-installed Bishop James Wall of the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico is undertaking a full background check of his 400 priests and intends to release the findings in the fall.

It's unclear whether Bishopp Wall himself will subject himself to a background check. Since only "active" priests in the diocese will be investigated, apparently the strange case of Bishop Wall's predecessor, Bishop Donald Pelotte, will not be investigated.

My recent NCR article on "improving the bishop-priest relationship" did not include the use of a forensic background check of priests by their new bishop. Maybe I should have included that technique.