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Examines the sexual scandal that has impacted the Catholic Church because of allegations of child abuse by priests. Issue of homosexual priests and celibacy; Decision by the Church to enact a zero tolerance policy in regards to sexual misconduct by clergy; Criticism of the Catholic Church for being hypocritical; Information on public opinion of Catholics in the U.S. who feel at odds with church teachings on homosexuality; Importance of examining the connection between sexuality and the sacraments.

Presents the story of Father Neil Conway, a priest who admits to having molested boys in his parish. Efforts of Conway to find his victims and apologize to them in hopes of finding forgiveness for himself and the Roman Catholic Church; Criticism of the Church for covering up cases of allegations of molestation by priests; Biographical information on Conway and details on his victimization of young boys; Proposals made to counter child abuse, such as allowing priests to marry and ordaining women.

Examines the percentage of Roman Catholic priests who are gay. View that the Catholic Church is hypocritical for speaking against homosexuality, yet ordaining gay priests; Views of traditionalists that Scripture clearly declares that homosexuality is a sin against God; Comment that homosexuality is being revealed to be something that people are born with and is not a manageable choice; Evidence that homosexuals are no more likely to abuse children than heterosexuals.

Reports on the expectations of newly elected Pope Benedict XVI. Reputation as a quiet man; How the way he leads the Catholic Church will have an impact on issues central to the future of humanity including the challenge of radical Islam to AIDS; Concerns that a stricter church could limit access to the sacraments; Way in which the world was informed that a new pope had been elected; Childhood of Pope Benedict XVI. INSET: WHERE HE STANDS.

Examines how, in light of child molestation charges against former priest John J. Geoghan, Catholics in the United States are confronting similar scandals and questioning the secrecy of the church. Background on Boston, Massachusetts Cardinal Bernard Law, who failed to confront the problem of sex abuse in his diocese; Accounts of adults who as children were sexually molested by priests; Reactions of Catholics to Law's handling of the Geoghan case; Why the priesthood may hold an attraction for pedophiles.

Examines the debate over whether to allow women to be ordained as priests. View of some Catholics that the priesthood should not only be extended to men; Avoidance of the female priest issue by the pope and archbishops; Opinion of Traditionalists that Jesus was a man and did not have any female Apostles; Argument that a diverse pool of religious clergy, in light of the sexual abuse scandal impacting the Catholic Church, could benefit priests; Hesitation of some to break with tradition; Outlook.

Discusses the Roman Catholic group Voice of the Faithful (VOTF). How the organization began in light of the Catholic priest sex abuse scandal and Bernard Law; Discussion of the groups founders and purpose; How some bishops have banned the group from meeting on church property; Mention of chapters abroad.

Reports on the appointment of Kathleen McChesney, an official at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, to the head of the Office for Child and Youth Protection. How McChesney will work with the bishops to ensure that church guidelines are upheld in the investigation of sex abuse by priests; Criticisms of the church policies; Use of church courts by Catholics.

Discusses the need of the Catholic Church to address such issues as sexuality, something it has avoided. View of some Catholics that Catholic priests need to be more honest; Criticism of the Church for being hypocritical; Opinion that necessary discussion will be encouraged with leadership, citing the case of Pope John Paul concluding that the Church was wrong not to endorse the Copernican notion that the Earth was not the center of the universe.

Focuses on Catholics worldwide, following the death of Pope John Paul II. Outlook for selection of a new pope to lead the church; Concerns of priests in Latin America, where Catholics are losing ground to evangelical churches; Questions on the church's future direction; Debate between defenders of orthodoxy and promoters of progress; How, in the West, polls show an almost universal disregard for the church's teachings on birth control and premarital sex; Issue of AIDS in Africa and Asia and the question of condoms; The priest shortage in the West; The challenge of Islam; Autonomy for bishops.