The expectation is that the bishops will vote quickly and affirmatively," he said.

The Episcopal bishops voted in 1976 to allow women to become priests and bishops.

Many people would count the Dallas meeting a success if the bishops voted for a policy like that.

All but two bishops voted in favor of it.

On the abuse issue, the bishops voted, 207 to 14, to approve the audit, with one abstention.

At that synod, nearly half the bishops voted in favor of a married priesthood.

In the next two weeks, bishops will vote on the issues that most concern them and send their recommendations to Benedict.

In a mail ballot, however, the bishops voted 150 to 98 to reject the translation.

The material on the Web site, it should be emphasized, does not contradict what the bishops voted 183 to 6 to highlight a week ago.

The bishops will debate and vote on the text on Thursday.