The Easter Vigil was celebrate by the Rector, who cheered up all the members of the congregation. Msgr. Bird's sermon was on the Resurrection of the Dead of all Catholics who believed and were faithful. The church was crowded. The Extraordinary Form was the accepted form at this place, and many of the families who lived on the grounds had come to love it. The funeral followed two days later. Anabelle and David felt like they were walking in a dream. Anabelle told her odd dream to no one. They left on the Wednesday and spent the rest of the week loving each other back into some type of normalcy. So far, the baby in the womb was growing on schedule. But, as David knew, Anabelle experienced much pain in her back from her disease, as her body changed.
James, in Washington, was doing his best to stem the ever-growing destruction of the American family.
Father Andrew was waiting for orders. His job of taking care of the Bishop now consisted of masses said for his soul. It was not until mid-May that Father Andrew heard from the Vatican. The seat of the dead Bishop would not be replaced. Seaview, now merged with another diocese, did not need Father Andrew.
The young priest was told to come and work in Rome. Pope Francis II needed someone to watch and diagnose the situation in Europe, which was changing almost as fast as that of the United States. Father Andrew's experiences would prove helpful for the Vatican, in many ways.
On June 1st, Andrew and James met in Washington. "I have a premonition, James," the young priest said. "I do not know if I shall see you again." James looked at the ground. "I feel that, too, brother, but when you went into the priesthood, I gave you to God. I assume you have given me to God as well."
The two became silent. They had dinner in James' apartment, not wanting to be in a crowded place, but Father Andrew said a private mass first. It was the Mass for the Dead for his old bishop.
After dinner, they talked for awhile. Father Andrew's flight was early in the morning. "I am now receiving death threats from some of the same addresses as the Bishop did. I spoke with my lawyer this morning. Under the new laws, as you know, threats from those who are homosexuals are ignored by the law as statements of frustrated sufferers of homophobia. Civil rights are one-sided."
James agreed. Nothing could come of the pressing for justice concerning on line or written threats. He received them as well, but this fact he did not share with Father Andrew.
"The latest one indicated that the death of the Bishop, as you and I know, was not suicide. The person wrote that I would meet the same fate as the Bishop did-a bullet in the heart. Now, I suppose with all the publicity anyone could have read the cause of death in the papers, and it was on television."
Father Andrew understood the signs of the times. Priest, bishops, cardinals were no longer protected by law.
They were the prey.
Silence filled the room in which the sun shone brightly. The Spring had introduced a gorgeous Summer in Washington, not too hot, not too cool. "Get some sleep, Andrew. I shall wake you up early in the morning. I have a cab ordered to take you to the airport."
James was worried, more than he had ever been before. Father Andrew's call to Rome provided an out for this young man, but was this move more dangerous than being in the States? James had to make a mental act of faith, of trust to Christ for his brother.
But, he knew, he would never see him again.
to be continued....
