I understand the obsessions of writers, and I certainly understand Maureen Dowd's fixations on her church and how the Vicar of Christ has disillusioned so many of the faithful. In her last searing column on this matter, she alludes to an essay by Garry Wills, also about pain and disenchantment. As Maureen points out, that piece was in The New Republic. Just in case you haven't read it, here it is.