Michael: Let's cover the talking points again, Your Eminence¹. Many call Opus Dei a brainwashing cult². Others, an ultraconservative Christian³ secret society.

Bishop⁴: We are a simple Catholic church.

Michael: Simple? With a brand-new $47-million headquarters in Manhattan.

Bishop: Our followers⁵ are generous, should we apologize for that?

Michael: Perhaps a less defensive⁶ tack⁷, 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 doctrine⁸. Rigorously.

Michael: Does doctrine necessarily include vows⁹ 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 ascetic¹⁰ lives in the cloisters¹¹ of our residential¹² 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.

妙语佳句，活学活用

1. Talking point

论据，尤指“有利的”论据。Something, such as an especially persuasive¹³ point, that helps to support an argument or a discussion.

这个片段是主教在练习接受采访的说辞。所以才有“Let's cover the talking points again”。

2. Tithes¹⁴

指的是“什一税”，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 spikes¹⁵. 这是一种苦修的天主教徒所使用的一种工具，一种金属链条，由多个带铁钩的金属环串起来。

4. Draw to a close

这个片语的意思是“渐近结束”，例如： Campaigns draw to a close.

5. Stay on the message

To “stay on message” is to be persistent¹⁶ 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 corporate¹⁷ line of thinking, e.g. Politicians are urged to stay on message.