From KCRW and KCRW.com, I'm Bob Carlson, and this is Unfictional.

Unfictional is KCRW's program of stories and original documentaries.

It's a part of KCRW's independent producer project,

a laboratory for independent radio producers, writers, and performers.

Well earlier this year the Catholic Church chose its 266th Pope.

Pope Francis takes over as head of the most influential organization in the history of Western civilization,

arguably.

And even these days, when scandal seems to have weakened the church,

there's still over a billion Catholics around the world

who give the Pope absolute moral authority.

How many world leaders have that kind of power?

Well scandal or not, the Vatican is not an institution

you ever want to mess with, unless you're interested to see what it's like

when all that power is focused on one person, you. And still there are those who try and rock that boat. Maybe it's just in their DNA.

On this episode of the program, two stories from the intersection of courage and recklessness. In the second part of the

program a country priest commits a small act of dissent that invites a not so

friendly summons from the Vatican.

He wouldn't give me any details, and that's why he wanted me to come to Rome as soon as possible.

He said, this is top secret, you are to tell nobody.

On this episode of Unfictional, me and the Holy See, challenging authority at opposite ends of the Catholic hierarchy.

Beginning with this much smaller example. at opposite ends of the Catholic hierarchy.

Beginning with this much smaller example of rule-breaking,

...