1.   Among American bishops, he has a reputation as a leader on international issues.

2.   Although the cardinal was widely hailed as a leader and consensus-builder among American bishops, Fiore remains deeply critical of him.

3.   American bishops and Pope John Paul II frequently have spoken against capital punishment.

4.   American bishops meeting last week in Dallas announced a zero-tolerance strategy for abuse by priests and others in ministry roles.

5.   American bishops, with the exception of a handful of liberals from generally smaller dioceses, have remained above the fray, preferring to discuss their differences in private.

6.   And when the American bishops gather at their fall meeting next month, will anyone ask these questions?

7.   As late as Saturday, the American bishops insisted that the pope would leave the church in the United States to handle the scandal.

8.   A committee of American bishops, in response to a Vatican request, has proposed requirements that would make Catholic colleges and universities more answerable to the church.

9.   A group of American bishops who visited the Vatican last week told him in strong terms that the matter required his prompt attention.

10.   A national meeting of American bishops in Dallas this June will focus on the response.