America's Catholic bishops, including Bishop Malone, set to tackle sex abuse crisis at fall meeting

Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone is in Baltimore U.S. Catholic bishops gather for their national assembly.

At the top of their agenda: the sex abuse crisis gripping the church, including the Diocese of Buffalo. Critics have been calling for church leaders to finally bring about meaningful reforms to root out misbehaving priests. Their demands include releasing the names of all clergy accused of abuse and giving a greater voice to abuse victims.

The assembly starts Monday and goes for three days. It comes after a series of abuse scandals this year that have been stunning in their magnitude and number, including the ongoing sex abuse crisis in Western New York.

KEY LINKS IN THE BUFFALO DIOCESE SEX ABUSE SCANDAL:

Part 1of the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team investigation revealed that Malone returned Fr. Art Smith to ministry despite allegations of inappropriate contact with a child. Malone returned the accused priests to ministry after a previous bishop suspended him, documents obtained by the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team show.

Part 2 revealed that Malone allowed Fr. Robert Yetter to remain pastor of St. Mary's in Swormville despite multiple sexual harassment allegations by young men. 

Part 3 cited church records that showed more than 100 priests in the diocese were accused of sexual abuse or misconduct. Malone in March released a list of only 42 priests "who were removed from ministry, were retired, or left ministry after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor." 

The investigative series sparked Buffalo civic leaders to call for Malone's resignation and Catholics have mounted weekly protests in front of the Diocese of Buffalo Chancery. Malone in August held a news conference and refused to resign as Buffalo bishop.

In September, the State Attorney General launched a statewide investigation into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and last week, it was revealed the FBI has launched its own criminal investigation into the diocese.

In October, "60 Minutes" aired a national investigative story on Bishop Malone and the Diocese of Buffalo. 

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