How the church’s vast talent pool represents an ironic obstacle to reform

ROME – Fans of the Roma soccer team, one of the two professional squads in the Eternal City, are in a grumpy mood these days. In part that’s because of the team’s uneven performance, but even more so because of perceived mismanagement by its American owners, Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin and his son Ryan.

Things came to a head when the team’s popular coach, a beloved former player, was unceremoniously fired just four games into the new season, leading to the most devoted fans boycotting...