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THE Paris meeting brought the rustle of robes, the glitter of pectoral crosses; it took place with doors firmly shut to publicity. Behind the pageantry and behind the closed doors, it was easy to miss the real significance of the third plenary assembly since World War II of the Roman Catholic Church in France. TIME Correspondent George Abell did not miss it, cabled a full report on what occupied the 114 assembled French cardinals and bishops—nothing less than a serious and chronic crisis of the French church. See RELIGION, Rebellious Eldest Daughter.