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.‘Cantave has been president for four months.In that time he has consistently fought with parliament, vetoing not only its legislative proposals but also its recommendations for the appointment of ministers, ambassadors, etcetera.He has surrounded himself with left-wing exiles who are openly hostile to the business interests of the country.He incites the people to violence and threatens to put members of the country’s elite on trial for what he calls “crimes against the poor”.Ganae is on the brink of chaos.’‘What are the possibilities of his being overthrown?’ the Cardinal asked.The Archbishop shrugged.‘Coups are a fact of life in Ganae.At the moment Cantave is protected by General Hemon, the Army Chief of Staff who is his appointee.If some officers decided to challenge Hemon, then.’ Again, he shrugged.‘There is another important factor,’ the nuncio said.‘He is a hero to the great majority of the poor.They call him their “Little Priest”.In my view, if you were to force him to choose between being their priest or their president, you would put him in a difficult position.’The fourth cleric, the one I took for a Vatican diplomat, now spoke up.‘Eminence, our information is that, if forced to choose, he will, of course, choose the presidency.’‘I’m sorry,’ the Cardinal said.‘Monsignor Pecci, excuse me.I haven’t introduced you.Gentlemen, this is Monsignor Pecci of the Second Section of the Secretariat of State.’I looked at this stranger.The Vatican Secretariat of State is, in effect, the Vatican’s diplomatic service.Its influence is immense.It must have been Pecci or his superiors who had decided to withhold recognition.The Cardinal, sitting beside me on the sofa, peered at me through his gold-rimmed spectacles.‘Perhaps, at this point, we should hear Father Michel’s views.I am told that Father Michel has a great influence on Father Cantave, perhaps greater than anyone else.Is that so, Father?’I was sick with tension.When I began to speak my voice was anxious and angry in a way that made me seem unstable.I began by saying that I did not feel that I had any special influence on Jeannot.‘I am his friend,’ I said.‘I believe him to be one of the most honest young men I have known.He is deeply religious and when he was expelled from our Order it was one of the great sorrows of his life.Monsignor Rinaldi is right when he says that forcing him to choose between the priesthood and the presidency would place him in a great dilemma.Father Cantave did not seek to become president of Ganae.He was an unwilling candidate and only agreed to run when persuaded by others that if he did not the elections would be a sham.Both before and since his election he has consistently fought for the rights of the poor.He has many enemies and has survived an attempt on his life.His church was burned down and his parishioners killed.Because of these things the people trust him implicitly.The overwhelming vote he received is proof that the poor of Ganae have lost all faith in their former leaders and, unfortunately, this includes the clergy who were silent during the years of the dictator’s rule.Father Cantave is the voice of the poor and their voice should surely be heard.I would suggest that now is the time for the hierarchy and the nuncio to forget their previous strictures against him and try to come to terms with the new situation that has arisen.The People’s Church is not a schismatic church but part of the Catholic Church.It should not be ignored or disparaged.We should try to unite the Church and the people of Ganae behind this new democratic government.Has there ever been a clearer case of doing what the Pope himself has asked us to do: opting for the poor of this world?’When I sat down, the Cardinal asked Monsignor Giobbi, ‘Monsignor, is there anything that you wish to add to what has been said?’‘I tend to agree with Father Michel,’ Giobbi said.‘I believe we should try to reach some sort of peace with Father Cantave.’The Cardinal turned to the Archbishop.‘Do you have any further comment at this time?’‘Yes.I totally disagree with Father Michel.Cantave is trying to found a schismatic church and unless he is disowned we will have a state of religious chaos in Ganae.In my view he should be excommunicated.’‘Thank you, Your Grace,’ the Cardinal said.He rose from the sofa and walked towards the fire where he stood warming his hands.I looked at his stooped back, long silver hair and crimson skullcap, at the broad crimson sash wound around the middle of his black soutane.What was he thinking? He leaned further into the great fireplace, rubbing his hands together, then stretching his long fingers towards the flames.Monsignor Pecci, the Vatican diplomat, looked over at Father Sykes, raising his eyebrows in question.Father Sykes smiled non-committally, closed his leather folder and sat, composed and waiting.The Cardinal nodded his head towards the flames, as though listening to some argument which only he could hear.At last, still chafing his hands, he turned to face us.‘First let me say that, at the moment, I do not see a reason for excommunicating Father Cantave.’‘But surely, Eminence – ’ Archbishop Pellerat was so angry he could barely control his voice.‘Isn’t it true that he deliberately disobeyed the Holy Father’s order that no priest be allowed to take up political office?’The Cardinal smiled.‘The law of the Church in Canon 287 states that clerics are not to assume an active part in political parties unless the need to protect the rights of the Church or to promote the common good requires it.’ Again, he smiled.‘I quote from memory, of course.But let me emphasise that any such decision can only be taken by the competent ecclesiastical authority.At this moment, I am that authority.I have heard your views and I thank all of you for giving them to me and for the trouble you have taken in preparing them.I will consult with Cardinal Ludovici of the Secretariat, but I can tell you now that we will postpone any decision, pending further developments.’ He turned to the Archbishop.‘Your Grace can be assured that I will be in personal contact with you as soon as we have decided on a course of action.’ He nodded politely to the others.‘Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to speak privately with Father Michel.’Father Sykes opened the drawing-room doors and ushered the others out
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