The Roman Catholic Church has battled a wave of paedophile priest scandals in the United States and Europe since last November.

Perhaps no city was more riled up today by the Vatican's decision to reject the American bishops' policy on sexual abuse than this one, where the priest scandal erupted nine months ago.

Like the priest scandals in Boston, Dallas and other areas, victims claimed the church covered up abuses and moved priests around to hide their misdeeds.

As news of the priest scandal has spread nationally, Catholic adults increasingly have come forward with accusations detailing youthful memories of abusive priests.

But Fordham University students and alumni say a Columbia University band announcer went too far Saturday with an off-color gibe, apparently about the priest sexual-abuse scandal.