51.   Pressure from the pedophilia scandal in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has led to an unprecedented openness among American bishops about abuse allegations in their own dioceses.

52.   Some American bishops themselves were out of line with the Vatican during the Gulf War, supporting U.S. military intervention while John Paul was urging restraint.

53.   The announcement comes two days before American bishops meet in Dallas to decide on proposals to deal with sexual abuse in the clergy.

54.   That ensures American bishops will remain under enormous legal and financial pressure from the scandal even after they overhaul their abuse policy in a meeting starting Thursday.

55.   The cardinals cannot make decisions binding on the other American bishops.

56.   The announcement of his resignation comes two days before American bishops meet in Dallas to decide on proposals to deal with sexual abuse in the clergy.

57.   The American bishops conference prepared the text and for several years have been seeking its approval by the Vatican.

58.   The clergymen chose not to set strict rules before a June meeting of American bishops in Dallas.

59.   The resignation was announced two days before American bishops meet in Dallas to decide on proposals to deal with sexual abuse in the clergy.

60.   The top Vatican participation could make it easier for the American bishops to act collectively in June and impose binding nationwide rules for each individual bishop to follow.