A Roman Catholic diocese is defending its decision to continue employing a priest who told police he was trying to rape a woman when he was arrested naked in an Iowa mall in 2013.

The Diocese of Sioux City on Wednesday acknowledged the 5-year-old arrest of the Rev. Jeremy Wind, describing it as a "mental health episode" from which he recovered.

Police reports obtained by The Associated Press show Wind was meeting with a parishioner at a Sioux Center bakery in December 2013 when he began behaving erratically.

He eventually took off his pants, shoes and socks and chased the woman. She locked herself in her car while Wind pounded on her window. She eventually drove off.

Police arrested Wind at a mall after he punched an officer. Wind later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.