LEXINGTON - Roman Catholics are preparing a letter for Pope John Paul II's ambassador to the United States to list qualities they believe the next bishop of Lexington should have.

        The letter's authors say they don't know whether their letter to the papal pro nuncio in Washington, D.C., will have an impact. But crafting the letter allows Catholics to participate in the church as it faces sexual abuse allegations.

        Bishop J. Kendrick Williams, who was the founding bishop of the Lexington Diocese in 1988, resigned in June after three men sued the church and accused him of sexual misconduct.

        Father Williams, who served as the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Covington for four years before moving to Lexington, has denied the accusations.

        “It's because we care about our church and we care about our community of faith,” said Ginny Ramsey, one of about 50 Catholics who met Tuesday night to create the list.

        “We're not used to this,” she said. “This is different. We're trying to do it in the most loving, inclusive way possible.”

        Traditional and reform-minded Catholics prayed and clashed during the meeting before settling on a dozen qualities for the area's new bishop.

        A lay group called “Pray It Forward” sponsored the meeting.

        The list emphasizes religious qualities like finding a bishop who is a “man of prayer - holy and prayerful,” is faithful to the Pope and loves the Virgin Mary.

        The group also suggested finding a leader who understands the church's diverse ethnic groups and their spirituality, continues the diocese's tradition of social justice and encourages all vocations.

        The list will also be forwarded to Louisville Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly.

        It's unclear if the Vatican is close to selecting a new bishop or what papal representatives will do with the letter, diocese spokesman Thomas F. Shaughnessy said.

        “It could potentially be an aid in the selection process. But in and of itself, it carries no weight because, you know, it's no secret that the church is not a democracy,” he said.

        The search for a bishop can take a year or more and is conducted “with the utmost secrecy,” Mr. Shaughnessy said.

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