Bishop Wilton D. Gregory said he's ready for a retreat...

...After dealing with the sex abuse issue for almost his entire three-year term as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In mid-November, the U.S. bishops will elect new conference officers. Bishop Gregory said he plans to take some time to reflect on a term that was largely consumed by the priestly sex abuse scandal.

Bishop Gregory said that, in retrospect, the dimensions of the sex abuse problems clearly called for the kind of drastic measures that were eventually adopted.

In retrospect, drastic measures were needed decades ago...Drastic measures are needed today - Abundant grace is needed, prayer and repentance is called for. Maybe we will continue to see Bishops of fidelity and strength emerge to lead the Church here in the U.S.

Having said this, a new USCCB President will be elected in November:

Two cardinals in the running to head bishops' conference

For the first time in 12 years, the list of 10 nominees for the next president and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops includes cardinals.

The two top-ranking prelates on this year's list of nominees for president and vice president are Cardinals Francis E. George, archbishop of Chicago, and Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia. The list includes four other archbishops and four bishops. They are Archbishops Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis; Charles J. Chaput of Denver; Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee; and William J. Levada of San Francisco; and Bishops Skylstad; Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, S.D.; Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz.; and Donald W. Wuerl of Pittsburgh.

Pray that the right man is chosen - one who can help correct the course of the Catholic Church in the U.S., with fidelity to the truth.

Source.