By Lori Burling
The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - The new bishop-elect for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington says he's ready to become the captain of a ship sailing treacherous waters.

Monsignor Ronald William Gainer, 55, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, Pa., was appointed the new bishop of the Lexington diocese Friday morning.

He replaces the Rev. J. Kendrick Williams, who resigned earlier this year amid sexual abuse allegations.

"We are sailing on perhaps the most treacherous waters we have ever had to navigate as the Church in the United States," Bishop Gainer said Friday in Lexington.

"The devastating effects of the clergy sexual exploitation scandal have torn at all our hearts, beginning with the victims and their loved ones. We are all eager for the healing and reconciliation that can come only from Jesus Christ."

Bishop Williams resigned from his position as bishop in June after three men accused him of sexual abuse when they were children. During the alleged abuse, Bishop Williams was serving as a pastor for the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Bishop Williams, who denies the allegations, has recently moved from the Lexington area, diocese officials said.

Before serving in Lexington as the first bishop of the diocese created from a portion of the Diocese of Covington, Bishop Williams was the assistant bishop for the Covington diocese.

The Covington diocese is a co-defendant with the Lexington diocese in several lawsuits relating to allegations about Bishop Williams, including a $50 million class-action suit that alleges Covington and Lexington church officials covered up incidents of sexual abuse.

Bishop Gainer, who is also a church lawyer, said he is familiar with pending litigation against the Lexington diocese.

He said he intends to follow guidelines set by U.S. bishops that have yet to be approved by the Vatican.

"I have every intention to abide by that," said Bishop Gainer, whose new diocese faces only one lawsuit by five people claiming sexual abuse.

Also on Friday, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law of the Archdiocese of Boston.

"Glad I said yes before Boston was open," Bishop Gainer said when asked for a comment on Law's resignation.

Bishop Gainer was ordained in the Allentown diocese May 19, 1973. He was named a monsignor in August of 1991. The Potsville, Pa., native holds a bachelor's degree and a divinity degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. He also holds a Canon Law degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Bishop Gainer made only his second visit to Kentucky on Thursday evening in preparations for Friday's announcement. He will stay in Lexington until today to meet with diocesan staff, clergy and other employees.

"I want you to know how eager I am to belong to my new family - the priests, deacons, seminarians and laity of the Diocese of Lexington," said Bishop Gainer, who described himself as a collaborative leader. "I come with an open heart and mind to listen and to learn from all of you what is happening here and what needs to happen."

The Lexington diocese was founded in 1988, with Rev. Williams serving as the first bishop. The diocese includes 50 counties, 63 parishes and more than 46,000 parishioners. The Allentown diocese includes 153 parishes, three Catholic hospitals and more than 268,000 parishioners. This is the second time in three years that a member of the Allentown diocese has been appointed a bishop, according to Bishop Edward P. Cullen of Allentown.

"Bishop-elect Gainer is an exemplary priest as evidenced by his generous service to God's people as a pastor, a campus minister and a diocesan official," Bishop Cullen said.

Bishop Gainer, who said he would meet with Bishop Williams later Friday, said the circumstances in which he comes to Lexington are certainly different than if Bishop Williams had "simply retired."

"From what I understand he was a beloved bishop and founding father," Bishop Gainer said. "But he did the right thing by removing himself."

Bishop Gainer, who served as a pastor for nearly 13 years, said he's ready to "move forward" with the church - spending time on reconciling and healing the scandal.

"A captain only develops the needed skills by navigating the violent storms," he said.

Church officials believe Bishop Gainer will be consecrated bishop in early February, but a specific date has not been set.