Roman Catholics: The Prelates Speak Out

In St. Peter's Square, underneath the shuttered windows of Pope Paul's apartments in the Vatican, progressive and conservative Roman Catholics came to blows last week. When a group of Italian faithful held a vigil to dramatize their demand for "a church of the poor," they were denounced by irate conservatives. "Communists!" they yelled. "Get out of Rome! Long live the Pope!" The scuffle in the streets was symptomatic of the conflict within the Vatican, where 144 prelates assembled this week for the second Bishops' Synod. In the Hall of Broken Heads, once...

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