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Raising questions

Francis X. Rocca

The spreading scandal over sexual abuse by Catholic priests in several European countries has provoked serious questions about a number of church practices and traditions. And some of the questions are coming from some of the most traditional quarters.

A cardinal close to the pope seems to have suggested a possible link between priestly celibacy and pedophilia. And the official Vatican newspaper has run an article arguing that more women in positions of authority could rend the “veil of masculine secrecy” that permitted cover-ups of sex abuse.

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