NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Cardinal Michele Giordano of Naples, the man at the center of a church-state controversy in Italy, broke a week-long silence today with a press conference at which he discussed the search of his office by local police, the investigation into Mafia activities which prompted that search, and his own future as archbishop.

      Cardinal Giordano-- whose financial records were confiscated by local investigators shortly after his brother was arrested on loan-sharking charges-- once again denied any wrongdoing. He insisted that he had loaned his own personal funds to his brother, to help him through a financial crisis. No archdiocesan funds had been involved, he said.

      The cardinal reported that during a private visit with Pope John Paul last week, he had received assurances of papal support. He also responded directly to the suggestion of one writer, Indro Montanelli, that he should resign. "I respect Montanelli as a journalist," he said, "But on this question I only have to answer to my conscience, to my people--who I love and admire--and to the Holy Father."