LOUISVILLE — In response to the child sex abuse crisis facing the Archdiocese of Louisville, several Catholics have started a Web site for parishioners who want to encourage their priests.

        The site — ThankYouFather.com — is already filling up with notes of gratitude to “Father Jim,” “Father Jerry,” “Father Chuck” and others.

        Since mid-April, 170 lawsuits have been filed against the archdiocese, alleging abuse by 24 priests and four other employees between the 1950s and 1990.

        “We've all been affected,” said Joe Lilly, a member of Holy Spirit Church in Louisville and one of the organizers of the Web site. “What we're trying to do in some small way is help the decent, ethical priests who have served us over the years.”

        Mr. Lilly, a former gubernatorial press aide and now a public relations executive, said the Web site is not a forum for defending accused priests.

        “Those cases should work their way through the courts,” he said. “Justice must be done. What we're doing is reminding people the vast majority of priests are good, decent men who deserve our appreciation.”

        Some comments offer general words of praise for priests, while others offer specific thanks.

        “Unfortunately there is crime in every denomination and population,” one message reads. “The priesthood is not immune. Hang in there because we know that it is not widespread throughout the entire ministry.”

        Organizers announced the site Wednesday, but in recent days it has begun to fill with comments from people who learned about it through word of mouth.

        The group is not accepting donations, Mr. Lilly said, and none of those involved work for the church.

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