Catholic church at crossroads in Milwaukee as pews empty

US priest sex abuse has affected parishioners, hurt church coffers

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin - Stung by fresh charges of priestly sexual abuse and allegations of a cover-up that reach the Vatican, the Roman Catholic church in the United States faces a crisis of empty pews and empty coffers.

Attendance was down noticeably at some Easter Sunday services in Milwaukee, reflecting the litany of troubles facing the US church and a torrent of criticism over its handling of abuse cases.