Q: Are you concerned that Catholics will be up in arms because of your portrayal of the Vatican?

A: Many Catholics are themselves critical of the Vatican. Sure, some Catholics will react negatively to what I have written, but that is to be expected. Truth hurts. What I would like to see is not emotional outbursts regarding my assertions, but calm, educated refutation. I submitted my work to the Vatican and to both archbishops of the Church of England five or six years ago, and invited their criticism. In every case they declined to comment. Silence, in the arena of theology, is tantamount to assent.

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