Michael: Let's cover thetalking points again, Your Eminence. Many call Opus Dei a brainwashing cult. Others, an ultraconservative Christian secret society.
Bishop: We are a simple Catholic church.
Michael: Simple? With a brand-new $47-million headquarters in Manhattan.
Bishop: Our followers are generous, should we apologize for that?
Michael: Perhaps a less defensive tack, Your Eminence. The press continue to be harsh with us.
Bishop: We are not Cafeteria Catholics. We don't pick and choose which rules to follow. We follow doctrine. Rigorously.
Michael: Does doctrine necessarily include vows of chastity, tithing and atonement for sins through self-flagellation and the cilice?
Bishop: Many of our followers are married. Many of them have families. Only a small proportion choose to live ascetic lives in the cloisters of our residential halls. But we are all united in God’s work around the world. Surely that is an admirable way to lead one’s life.
Michael: Why are some media referring to Opus Dei as “God’s mafia”?
Bishop: Obviously, some people fear what they don't understand. And because the war finally draws to a close.
Michael: Bishop, we need to stay on message.
Bishop: That will be all, Michael, thank you.
妙語(yǔ)佳句，活學(xué)活用
1. Talking point
論據(jù)，尤指“有利的”論據(jù)。Something, such as an especially persuasive point, that helps to support an argument or a discussion.
這個(gè)片段是主教在練習(xí)接受采訪的說辭。所以才有“Let's cover the talking points again”。
2. Tithes
指的是“什一稅”，即 the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.
3. Cilice
A small metal chain with inwardly-pointing spikes. 這是一種苦修的天主教徒所使用的一種工具，一種金屬鏈條，由多個(gè)帶鐵鉤的金屬環(huán)串起來(lái)。
4. Draw to a close
這個(gè)片語(yǔ)的意思是“漸近結(jié)束”，例如： Campaigns draw to a close.
5. Stay on the message
To “stay on message” is to be persistent in getting your point across. When you stay on message, you don't allow yourself to be distracted from your purpose.
It is also used in British English to mean following the party or corporate line of thinking, e.g. Politicians are urged to stay on message.
