There has been no shortage of recent media stories bound to embarrass the Roman Catholic Church. There has been no end of reports about priests abusing boys and girls under their care (more boys than girls, it seems), culminating in the criminal conviction of an ecclesiastical official for protecting abusive priests. And there have now been stories about intrigues and corruption reaching into the highest circles of the Curia. But none of these stories—though certainly damaging to the credibility of the Church—affect the core of her identity. Even the most fervent...