A Letter from the Publisher
The press and the hierarchy of the U.S. Roman Catholic Church have long had a somewhat wary, arm's length relationship. But that gap was partly bridged in 1971 when TIME Associate Editor Richard Ostling, representing the Religion Newswriters Association, helped negotiate an unprecedented arrangement that later opened the meetings of Catholic bishops to journalists. Previously, Ostling recalls, "the bishops' deliberations were secret, and reporters sat outside, talking among themselves." Meanwhile, pickets would vie for press attention, and lobbyists for varying causes would voice their grievances. Says Ostling: "Naturally, these groups would cozy up to the...
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