U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are at odds over a proposed document on women's rights that denounces sexism but reiterates Vatican opposition to allowing women to become priests.

As bishops argued the issue Thursday - the first time in public - a Gallup Poll released here showed two-thirds of American Catholics surveyed favor ordaining women.The three-hour debate ended with several bishops saying the letter's prospects as an authoritative pastoral teaching letter were dim.

That would "be a miracle," said Bishop Joseph L. Imesch of Joliet, Ill., chairman of a committee that has worked nine years trying to produce a suitable version.

The debate was to continue Friday.

The 81-page document, now in its third revised form and toned down after a meeting ordered by the Vatican, has aroused widespread objections among Catholics. Reform groups call it inconsistent in upholding full equality of women in society yet denying them ordination to the priesthood.

"Realistically, I don't see how we can satisfy" various views, Imesch said. Shelving it, or "our silence would mean we consider women second-class citizens."

Several bishops noted that no matter what the letter says, it is up to the Vatican to lift the ban against women priests.

"We've gone about as far as we can go," said Bishop Pierre DuMaine of San Jose, Calif.

The bishops voted to continue to revise the letter and further amendments were expected after the four-day debate among about 250 bishops meeting at the University of Notre Dame.

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A vote on the document is not expected until this fall.

"To retain any credibility, they should drop the pastoral and do some listening to the voices of the people," said Ruth Fitzpatrick of Fairfax, Va., coordinator of the Women's Ordination Conference.

A Gallup Poll found 67 percent Catholics think ordaining women as priests would be a "good thing."

The percentage has risen steeply in recent years, the poll said, rising from 29 percent in 1974 and 47 percent in 1985.

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