MADISON, Wis. -- A Catholic Church commission says Roman Catholic bishops did not deal with the problem of sexual abuse by their priests, and the abuse was much more wide-spread than first believed.

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Nearly 11,000 minors claim they were abused by almost 5,000 priests. More than 80 percent of the alleged victims were male, and over half said they were between 11 and 14 when they were assaulted.

"The picture that emerges sadly is one of those who broke faith with their people, their priesthood and their religious vows," said Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Researchers say most of the abuse happened in the home, perpetrated by men who were "dysfunctional, psycho and sexually immature," but the board placed outright blame on America's bishops, who protected guilty priests and fearing lawsuits, rarely protected victims.

Bishop Robert Morlino of the Madison Diocese agrees.

"I think as problems and as bishops became more aware, it became truly overwhelming -- there are attorneys, psychologists, insurance companies to deal with," he said.

Morlino was a guest on WISC-TV's "For The Record" public affairs program Sunday.

Morlino adds victims didn't receive the care and compassion they deserved.

Bishop, 56, is the fourth bishop of Madison, succeeding Bishop William H. Bullock, who served as Bishop of the Diocese of Madison since 1993. Bullock submitted his resignation at age 75 in April, 2002.