The World - News from March 23, 1989

Pope John Paul II warned U.S. bishops that the American culture within which they work and minister is “marked by elements which need to be purified and uplifted by the saving message of the Gospel.” The Pope made his comment in a generally warm letter addressed to all U.S. bishops summing up in broad terms the results of the four-day summit session between the U.S. heirarchy and top church officials held March 8-11 at the Vatican, which released the text. It did not mention any of the criticisms of the U.S. church leveled by Vatican officials, especially on the touchy question of divorce.