The World - News from Aug. 22, 1986

Father Charles Curran, the U.S. theologian censured for his dissenting views on such issues as abortion and divorce, could face further punishment if he continues to defy the church, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro said. Curran, who has been stripped of his right to teach Roman Catholic theology, also could lose the right to perform his duties as a priest, Navarro warned. “The best thing for him to do now is to reflect and, hopefully, change his mind,” he said. Curran, told of Navarro’s comments, said that the question of revocation of his priestly standing “has never been raised. That would be totally unfair . . . but I still couldn’t change my positions.”