Today, the conference approved a policy that will bar sexually abusive clergy from face-to-face contact with parishioners but keep them in the priesthood.

"There’s no wiggle room," DiLorenzo said today in a telephone interview as to why he favors zero tolerance.

"A priest is an icon of Jesus in people’s eyes. That icon can no longer present a clear image of Jesus (if he has sexually abused someone).

"I would retire them with (medical) benefits," DiLorenzo added. "But no more public ministry for them. That’s absolute."

"I’m not standing alone," DiLorenzo said of his zero-tolerance commitment.

He noted that there are two factions among the bishops.

"Some look at it as a black-and-white situation while others are preoccupied with gray areas," DiLorenzo said.

"What I’d like to do is experiment with something for a while ... see how it fits before inviting someone (from the outside) to comment on it."

Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the American bishops, drew critical praise for his "taking responsibility" speech yesterday in which he noted that bishops “did not go far enough to ensure that every child and child was safe from sexual abuse."

DiLorenzo said the bishops' reaction to the speech was mixed.