by Fr. William Purdy, Professor of Philosophy at the Beda College, Rome

Some recently published books dealing with the Second Vatican Council have highlighted in a dramatic way certain stresses within the Roman Church, and in particular the clash between 'conservative' and 'progressive' elements. The struggle, it is argued, centres mainly upon the role of the Roman Curia, its implacable opposition to any kind of change and its apparent bid for power over both Pope and Council.
Is there, in fact, any such thing as 'the Curial mentality'? Father Purdy believes that there is; that it can be accounted for - though not necessarily vindicated - in historical terms; and that it must in future be radically changed.

(Second broadcast)