2014英语四级听力练习慢速3.14(1)_大学英语听力

2014英语四级听力练习慢速3.14(1)

　　Ukrainian leaders have condemned the planned vote. They say the referendum violates Ukraines self-rule and should not be recognized as legal. Ukraines Western allies agree with the countrys leaders.

　　Im Jonathan Evans.

　　You are listening to As It Is, from Learning English.

　　The Francis Effect

　　Pope Francis became leader of the Roman Catholic Church about a year ago. Since then, his simple way of living, and his warmth and openness, have made him popular worldwide.

　　Some people have called this The Francis Effect. His actions and words have reportedly influenced former Catholics to return to churches in some countries. But studies show that his popularity has had little effect in the United States.

　　The US has the fifth-largest Catholic population in the world. But people who identify themselves as former Catholics represent 10 percent of Americas population. Many former members say they are angry about the Churchs failure to investigate and punish cases of sexual abuse by clergy over the years. Others criticize what they believe is the firmness of Church teachings.

　　Some Catholic churches are making changes to try to bring former Catholics back to the faith and to try to persuade others to join the church.

　　One of those churches is The Church of the Nativity, in Timonium, Maryland -- a community near the city of Baltimore. From the outside, the church looks like many other religious centers.