The Cardinal Page #8

But one thing happened

before Father Gillis decided to come.

His church was burned to the ground.

Quite a few of the folks in my parish...

they feel it's time to make some changes.

So a bunch of them went and threw

a picket line around that white school.

They threw what?

They marched in front of the school

with signs, protesting the discrimination.

Then I got a lot of phone calls...

and letters with no names signed.

And then one night,

these men with white hoods...

they burned my church.

Barbarians.

But still it's scarcely a tribute

to your priestly discretion, is it...

that your concern with

these peculiar local politics...

has left you without a church?

Politics, my dear Giacobbi?

The desecration, of course,

is a moral issue.

I was speaking of Father Gillis's activities.

But discrimination is a moral issue, too.

It is not necessary to tell me...

that race prejudice is contrary

to the teachings of Christ and his church.

The question is,

whether it is wise to use methods...

that tend to be inflammatory.

I'm not sure that we can afford

to use methods that tend to be glacial.

The truth of the matter is that

to the non-white majority of the world...

there is no more critical test

of our democracy...

Democracy, my dear Fermoyle,

is neither the ultimate...

nor necessarily

the best form of government.

It is simply the favorite doctrine

of a country...

discovered by an Italian, who thought

he was going someplace else.

Your Eminence suggests

a stimulating topic for discussion...

but my point is that what happens

to freedom in America...

is important to the rest of the world.

But isn't your precious separation

of church and state...

a part of that freedom?

Aren't you always telling us

we may not intrude...

in the domestic affairs

of your country in any way?

By your own logic, it is foolish...

to challenge the deepest feelings

and convictions...

of the people of...

What is the name of the place?

- Georgia, Your Eminence.

- Georgia.

Father Gillis, may I suggest that

your primary obligation is not...

to political and social reform...

but to the mortal souls of your flock.

Thank you, Monsignor,

for bringing us Father Gillis.

We're always happy

to meet a brother in Christ.

Let's get back to our work now.

I really don't remember where we left off.

Is that it?

I'd hoped we could dissuade him.

What will you do when you get back?

Thank you for your support.

I must go there, Alfeo.

I told him he could count on my help

and then I failed him.

You went as far as you possibly could

within the limits of your function.

There was another time

somebody relied on me for help.

I did everything within my function for her,

and it wasn't enough.

If you made a mistake with your sister...

if you were too young to be

both priest and brother to her...

you've atoned for that a long time ago.

You don't have to find new ways

to torture yourself.

I just don't want to realize again

that it's too late to accomplish something.

What is there to accomplish

by following Father Gillis?

I don't know, but I know I have to do it.

I don't think it will be a surprise if I say...

the Pope has given some thought

to naming you a bishop.

I've heard a certain amount of talk.

- You can't tell me it doesn't matter to you.

- It matters very much.

But it also matters to me

what happens to Gillis.

I'll try not to compromise the Holy See.

I don't have to be an official emissary.

You still need

the Holy Father's permission...

which means Giacobbi's, unfortunately.

Do you suppose

the thought might enter his mind...

that I could make

a fool of myself in Georgia?

It might.

What if you started him thinking

along that line?

Why would I want to discredit you?

It might occur to him that this trip could

lessen my chances to become a bishop.

Which could be just the incentive he needs

to grant me permission to go.

Heaven forgive me

for starting you off in diplomacy.

All right, Father.

Uncle Steve, it's so wonderful to see you.

Regina, I'd like you to meet a shipboard

friend of mine, Father Eberling.

Father, I'm sorry. This is awful.

I don't imagine Father Eberling

found it too painful.

Nicest welcome home I ever had.

Now.

Uncle Steve.

I'm so glad you're you, I mean, not him.

You're so much better looking,

and younger.

With that blarney and your looks,

you'll have your pick of husbands.

- Anything to declare?

- Nothing.

Thank you, Father.

Yeah, I'll get the bags.

Steve.

Boy, you look great.

How do you keep the old weight down?

Prayer, Frank. And a strict calorie count.

- How's it going?

- Pretty good.

No money,

but I'm knocking 'em dead every night.

Singing in one of the best speakeasies

in town.

I hope to be able to hear you

before I go back.

What are your plans?

That's the trouble.

You shouldn't have come to New York.

Who said I shouldn't?

Am I some sort of an old lady...

I meant I have to catch a train this

afternoon. We barely have time for lunch.

But it's worth it.

I don't like you spending the money.

Round-trip fares for you and Regina?

- Are you really sorry I brought her?

- She's an absolute delight, ravishing.

Having her around has made it easier

for me to accept God's will.

Seeing her now has made it easier for me.

Excuse me?

Where does Father Gillis live?

- Right over there.

- Thank you.

- Monsignor.

- Father Fermoyle from Boston, for now.

Do come in.

Monsignor Whittle,

this is Father Fermoyle.

- How do you do?

- Hello.

Sheriff Dubrow.

What brings you to Lamar, Father?

I'm a friend of Father Gillis.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

I've already said what I come to say.

There's a law against arson in this state.

So I had to do my job.

When Gillis here, Father Gillis...

made out a complaint,

I brought the charges.

Tomorrow he can get up

in the trial and testify.

That is, unless you can talk

some sense into him.

He's your boy, not mine.

Know what I mean?

I don't. What do you mean?

That there's trouble for everybody,

for him, for me, for the Church.

- What are you doing here, Father?

- I told you, I'm a friend of Father Gillis.

As a friend, I wish you'd tell

this hard-headed boy...

He's not a boy, Monsignor, he's a priest.

Do you presume

to correct my terminology, Father?

I simply meant to remind you

that we are all brothers in Christ.

Then, my Yankee brother,

will you tell this Father Gillis...

that he must not testify?

'Cause people around here,

they're in an awful ugly mood.

Do you want to testify?

- Yes, Father.

- Good.

Father Gillis will be at the trial tomorrow.

That does it.

That just about puts the lid on it.

Look, you know nothing

of the conditions around here...

Monsignor, a church has been burned.

Charges have been brought,

testimony must be given.

What is so unusual

about due process of law?

I recognize a Yankee...

sanctimonious self-righteousness.

You will not testify, Father.

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