veritatis splendor, which had been widely leaked, argues for absbsute standards and against more liberal moral views. italy is the physical center of the catholic church, which condemns contraception and abortion. how, then, can italians equate a low birth rate with religious practice? [bonoli speaking italian] [translator] yes, i think that catholic couples and even young italian catholics have for some time now made a distinction between their religious conscience and what might be considered as a dictate from the church. therefore, they don't feel bound within their conscience to take notice of the rules which they probably don't agree with, but this doesn't mean that they feel any less catholic. [speaking italian] [translator] i believe, and i'm a catholic, et cetera, but life has to be practical. you have to try and act according to your various needs, according to your personal problems, the type of family, and the type of work you do. don mario picchi lives in rome and has been a catholic priest for the last 36 years. [picchi speaking italian] [translator] undoubtedly, religious f