UNITED STATES
Catholic Culture
By Phil Lawler February 20, 2014
St. Peter’s basilica is enormous. I wonder how many American Catholics assume that, just as the Vatican basilica is larger than their diocesan cathedral, the Vatican bureaucracy must also be much larger than the diocesan staff. Not so. Actually the Vatican is a relatively lean operation. Although they work in spectacular surroundings—you won’t find anything like the Sistine Chapel beside your local chancery—the officials of the Roman Curia do not have large support staffs.
Many years ago, as a young journalist new to the beat, I placed my first call to Rome, hoping to arrange an interview with a cardinal who headed a Vatican congregation. I expected to speak with two or three intermediaries before, just maybe, arranging an actual conversation. I was stunned when the cardinal himself answered the office phone. How many American bishops take unscreened calls?
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