Everything you wanted to know about the Catholic Church but were too pious to ask

"In this book I shall attempt two things. First of all, in trying to answer the questions implied in the topic headings, I will stress an underlying Catholic orientation or perspective which I take to be more important than the specific question. Secondly, I will describe the official position, so far as one can be ascertained, the belief and practice of ordinary Catholics, and the speculation of theologians. Sometimes I will express my own opinion, for what it's worth. Readers may decide for themselves what they find acceptable and unacceptable." -- Introduction.