The Fallen and the Elect
Page 64
Chapter 36
With the Cardinal resting his thin, frail, aged body in Bishop Grielle’s favorite chair, the Bishop received the Cardinal’s loutish imposition with cool acceptance and sat down on the chair reserved for guests. Having known the Bishop for so many years, the Cardinal could easily see through his calm façade. But the Cardinal dismissed his colleague’s feelings with the thought that Bishop Grielle must be feeling better since returning from the hospital if he was concerned with something so trite.
“I’m glad you’re doing well Andrew,” the Cardinal commented. “Bit of a scare there I would say.”
“Yes, I’d like to think it was due in part to Father Hernandez’s Anointing of the Sick and calling upon his patron saint to petition for my health that it turned out to be just an extremely bad case of heartburn.”
“Hmm, I guess that’s why I’m here. It’s regarding Father Hernandez.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand,” Bishop Grielle said in response to the hint of discontent he’d heard in his superior’s voice. He assumed the Cardinal had stopped by to check on how well he was doing since being discharged from the hospital but his intuition ignited that there was another motive.
“Yes, you see …” the Cardinal began to comment with a subtle sharpness then dropped off into an uneasy quiet.
“Your Eminence, is everything all right?” Bishop Grielle asked, sensing hesitancy and subdued hostility. He gauged his superior’s body language and knew he was formulating a rebuke in his thoughts. The Bishop patiently awaited an answer.
After a couple of minutes, the Cardinal broke his silence. “Do you have any tea?”
Bishop Grielle was a bit dumbfounded. “Tea?”
“Yes. Tea. I feel like a cup of tea.”
The Bishop knew the Cardinal was being diversionary and thought it might be that he wanted to find a way of changing his approach, not wanting to begin the formal portion of the conversation in an adversarial tone and possibly shutting out a genuine response. He capitulated by going into the kitchen and preparing a cup of Earl Grey. He returned several minutes later to find the Cardinal had gotten up out of the chair and strolled around the office. He was fingering and making quick glancing probes into Diocese-administration paperwork on the Bishop’s desk and the news articles and editorials attempting to explain the mysterious singing reportedly heard around the world. Observing Bishop Grielle return to the room, the Cardinal returned to sit in the Bishop’s favorite study chair.
Irked, Bishop Grielle skin complexion flushed and decided to readdress his question while handing the Cardinal his tea. “So Your Eminence, you started to mention something about Father Hernandez?”
Cardinal Millhouse’s frail hand quivered while he took a drink of tea. For the first time in a while, Bishop Grielle thought about the age of his mentor and church elder and remembered that he could be facing mandatory retirement within a year.
“This is very good tea Andrew. Thank you,” the Cardinal said, returning to drink his beverage and noting Bishop Grielle’s stoic, patient look. “So, have you had a chance to review the information Father Hernandez and Sister Justine drafted regarding their investigation?”
“They were ruminating about some ideas and speculations the morning I was taken to the hospital. Some of it I would say is controversial.”
“Heretical I would say,” the Cardinal sharply responded, nearly slamming the tea cup onto the table next to the chair. “You never told me Father Hernandez would be so idealistic. I’ve reviewed their notes and commentary, and they contain some damnable blasphemies. I can only imagine they were influenced by their godless associate during this little investigation.”
“You know your Eminence, you have me at a disadvantage. I haven’t had a chance to vet the full scope of what they must have presented to you.”
The Cardinal cut off the Bishop before he could continue. “Nor do I think you should or anyone else. It’s absolute heresy! I can’t believe I let you talk me into letting those three research the incident. For that matter, I should’ve ceased everything the moment we found out they were interested in going to Mexico.”
“I would think if the Church is interested in finding out about what happened, we should be open to all interpretations presented. They were the most qualified in this situation. I’m sure they would’ve presented multiple theological possibilities if this were supernatural.”
“What they’ve espoused is somewhat disturbing. It flies against everything the Church is currently working on.”
Bishop Grielle desperately felt he needed to interrupt with the previous thought that the Cardinal ignored. While he waited for an answer, he found himself becoming irritated again. “Once again your Eminence, I have to say that I don’t understand the source of your concern. Since you were able to review the information they presented, I feel as if I’m blind to what has you so distraught. What exactly did they present to you?”
Expelling a breath of exasperation, the Cardinal sank in his seat and gave the Bishop a strong and steady stare. “At one point they speculated that the fatal events could be the angels attempting to prevent the culmination of the work being accomplished by our patron benefactor in our unique endeavor,” the Cardinal explained after a couple of minutes.
“What’re you saying? That they speculated what’s being backed by the Church could be malevolent?”
“What they speculate flies in the face of the divine guidance given by the miraculous visitation upon Rome.”
“You’ll have to forgive me if I seem a little offended, but I do remember when Father Hernandez and Sister Justine started mentioning this, I was taken a bit by surprise. Before they took me to the hospital, they did note that they were also considering other possibilities as to what happened as well. No offense Eminence, to learn that Sister Justine in effect undermined my guidance during their research by your bidding, through all of this, I feel as if you are telling me something you already know.”
“Let me just say their primary hypothesis is severely unwarranted and unfounded,” the Cardinal responded, ignoring the portion of the response relating to Sister Justine.
“Then why agree to have me pair the two up if it caused so much discontent with the Church?”
The Cardinal was offended by the obstinacy of the Bishop.
“Based on the writings of Michael Saunders, it was thought the two would balance each other out to try and find out what happened,” the Cardinal answered. “It’s their final hypothesis as to what most likely happened that is the cause of the most consternation. They were pretty firm in leaning toward the heretical view of accepting the evil of those who were killed, including many of the researchers and pioneers with their families. They assumed that the work with Aurora was not being accomplished for some greater good. The Church’s direction is clear, anything against the Church’s greater plan is to be condemned and will not be tolerated,” the Cardinal declared.
“With so much in the shadows concerning Aurora, their suppositions are probably based in ignorance. The Church is taking an extremely stern position ...”
“The Church is taking the correct position on this,” the Cardinal interrupted. “Nothing more needs to be said. All of the research information is being collected as we speak. No one is to mention any of this or our previous conversations. And just so you’ll hear it from me first, we’re looking to have you reassign Father Hernandez and Sister Justine. He will become chaplain for the Dawles treatment facility. Sister Justine will be assigned to a new order, one not as lenient in serving the Church.”
“Are you kidding?” Bishop Grielle blurted out, ignoring protocol. “Father Hernandez has been one of our most faithful vicars. He’s one willing to assist other parishes in need, extremely good at mentoring the junior seminary students, excellent in administration, and impeccable with the way he manages his parish.”
“I understand you have an affinity for him, but the decis
ion has been made.”
“Damn it, I’m in charge of this Diocese. I wasn’t even consulted.”
“Well I’m consulting you now. And to think of the arrogance those two displayed to think they actually saw an angel. What makes them think that they’re actually worthy to witness such a divine marvel?”
Bishop Grielle looked like he’d been hit in the stomach with a bat. The Cardinal ignored the Bishop’s physical response to his comment.
“What do you mean the two of them saw an angel?” the Bishop asked.
“You’re telling me you don’t know about the alleged visit in the hospital chapel?”
“No. Remember I was somewhat incapacitated?” the Bishop quipped, still a bit angry because the Cardinal called to say he would come to visit him in the hospital but he never showed up.
“Well, even when there are visits all around the world, and Father Hernandez and Sister Justine say they witnessed one with the same man who claimed to have seen one at other times, no one is able to produce any evidence.”
“Didn’t you say the Holy Father had received an angelic visitor? How’re we to take his word for truth and not theirs?”
Cardinal Millhouse’s nostrils flared. “You dare question the infallibility of the Holy Father? He is one worthy of such a visit. I will tolerate your insolence for only so long Andrew. Nothing more needs to be said.”