Vatican Asks U.S. Bishops To Delay Action On Sex Abuse Crisis

U.S. bishops are meeting in Baltimore today for the biannual United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

High on the agenda is how to deal with the sexual abuse crisis in the church, but in the first few minutes of the conference, the body's president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, said the Vatican requested bishops delay action until next year.

"This is a dark day for survivors and Catholics. It's a real sign that even modest progress is being undercut by the Holy See," said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a website that tracks clergy sex abuse.

Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who called for greater bishop accountability and transparency in a letter published Sunday, is among those present.

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a website that tracks clergy sex abuse. She tweets @barrett_doyle.

John Allen, the editor of Crux Magazine, a news site that covers the Catholic Church and Vatican. He tweets @JohnLAllenJr.