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BISHOPS
from oll over the world gothered for Voticon 11 - but the hoped-for unity did not develop.
proach would invite local con–
servative schisms and open the
Church to greater divisions.
Paul's solution, at least for the
moment, has been a holding action.
He will not aLienate the reasonably
progressive nor stifle the protests of
the co nse rvatives. This has
prompted sorne to charge that he is
the leader of a "do nothing" hier–
archy on crucial issues of the day.
Sociologist and priest Andrew M.
G reeley said of the present situation
"that very many priests would agree
that they feel the ship is adrift with–
out any lirm hand on the tiller."
Meanwhile. a group of 33 pro–
gressive Roman Catholics has at–
tacked the leadership of the Church
PLAIN TRUTH November 1973
and called on all Catholics to resist
the misuse of authority by the hier–
archy.
ls lt the Devil's Faul t?
Pope Paul has blamed the devil
for the problems that have beset the
Church since Vatican TI. Addressing
a mass in Saint Peter's Basí lica, the
Pope
said:
"We believed that after
the Council there would be a day of
sunshine in the history of the
church. Instead we have found new
storms. How has this come about? I
will confide a thought to you: lt is
an enemy power, the devil. ..."
He suggested that Satan had en–
tered the Church through sorne "fis–
sure to stifle the fruits of the Vatican
Ecumenical Council." In making his
pronouncement, the Pope asked his
listeners not to treat his words as
"superstitious or unreal."
The onslaught that foUowed was
immediate and crítica!. The secular
press of Italy lampooned him, pro–
gressive Roman Catholics were em–
barrassed, and many wrote off the
papal announcement as one more
tragic faux pas. Seldom has a pro–
nouncement from Rome brought
such ridicule and disdain upon a
modern Pope. Catholic theologian
and secular press alike have poked
fun at him with titles of articles such
as "The Devil You Say" and "Speak
of tbe Devil."
In the face of these retorts. Pope
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