Religion: John Paul's Cleanup Campaign

Despite protests, Rome is determined to quash U.S. dissent

Ever since Pope John Paul's celebrated American tour of 1979, it has been evident that one priority of his pontificate is to buttress official Roman Catholic policies that have faced continual questioning within the U.S. church. Now, a year prior to the Pope's planned return visit to America, his campaign to bring the nation's bishops, priests and sisters into line has provoked a rising tide of dissent. Bishops are privately vexed, and priests are salting sermons with barbs directed at Rome; the board of one Milwaukee parish even recommended that members divert gifts from the annual collection for the Vatican.

The...

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