Unity 'snub'

BISHOP David Preus of the American Lutheran Church, speaking in Washington, has accused the Catholic Church of "going back the other way" on issues where the Iwo churches disagree, such as women priests and clerical celibacy. He said Pope John Paul II had "shown his conservative stripes, and that "a moderating Pope could give some encouragement at least. Instead he's slammed the door and taken a conservative line".