The parish hall was humming. Crowds milled inside and out. Bishop Levitt sought out Julian, Eddie and Joe.
“Marcus has asked me to call over first. We’ll both be back soon. See you then.” With that Mark Levitt walked across to the Bishop’s house, where Marcus Weldon was waiting for him.
Mark Levitt wanted answers to many questions. He knew Marcus Weldon had the answers to some. Yet it had come as a surprise when, as they were leaving the cemetery, he had asked Mark to call.
“Thanks for coming over,” began Marcus. “Won’t keep you long. We both need to get over to the hall soon. But I also need to talk to you!”
“Fine,” answered Mark, fairly primly. “Fire away!”
“Such a sad affair!” began Marcus. He looked around the room, searching for words.
“I know you have a healthy” – his choice of word seemed rather pronounced to Mark’s questioning ear –“friendship with Simon’s friends. Simon’s death was a tragedy, yes. But it could have various consequences. On the one hand, this could be the end with happy memories for all concerned for this young priest with the weak heart. On the other hand, questions could be asked about his untimely death and false answers given, leading to gossip and lies!”
Since Mark had heard of Simon’s death, he knew he could no longer ignore questions that kept racing through his mind. He had grappled with ideas on how to brace the subject with his fellow bishop, who, he knew, must have some answers. Now Marcus Weldon had opened the gate to any questions, to any pertinent subjects.
Thank God, his heart beat.
“Oh, yes,” was his quiet reply.
“Look, Mark, I won’t beat about the bush. For the sake of their friend, would you squash any probing Simon’s friends may start? It will do no good – only cause more heartache.”
“Explain yourself!”
“Mark, you know what I am getting at. The last person seen with Simon was Alberto Ponti and Simon was in rather a state when he arrived home. So many simple explanations. Yet the enemies of the Church could turn that into quite a story. So, Mark, I’m asking you to prevent those young friends from causing any trouble.”
The easy-going Mark could take no more.
“Trouble!” he almost shouted. “You and I have been chosen by our Church as leaders of our diocese. Leaders, I stress. As leaders we have an obligation to ensure, as far as humanly possible, that everyone – again I stress – everyone – treats and is treated by in a way Christ would not only expect, but command.
“So, Marcus, let’s not play with words any more. Let’s put the cards on the table.
“We can prove nothing, true. But we can have a general idea of what happened – of what caused Simon’s serious mental distress, to say the least.
“First, let’s start with Ponti. It is common knowledge that he was moved from a couple of parishes in another diocese before you took him on. Why he moved around or was moved around is not so common knowledge. Since Simon’s death I have used my status to order findings that, up to now, have been well hidden. And what I have learned, which is minimal at this stage, makes me cringe. I’m only guessing – as yet – but it seems as though Ponti is a sexual predator, a real horror. Have no illusions, Marcus, I, along with Simon’s three young friends, will be looking for the truth.”
“Don’t throw dirt at me!” shouted Marcus. “Look at you. Don’t forget that young fellow in your diocese who was playing up with the girls six years ago.”
“Yes, Marcus. You are right. I did have a priest in my diocese who did such harm. But also, as you remember, as soon as any whisper came to me, I acted. You know as well as I that the case went to court, he was convicted and defrocked by the Church.”
A brief silence followed.
“So Marcus, what are you going to do?”
“Do!” Marcus exclaimed. “Nothing! Sure, Alberto has his problems. But we should be helping him, not hounding him.”
“And what exactly are you doing to help him? Leaving him free to roam as he pleases! This is the way of the devil!”
With that Mark Levitt rose. “I will encourage these three young men to seek the truth.”
His voice mellowed. As he turned to leave he spoke quietly, “Think, Marcus. You’re a good man yourself. Think what you are doing!”
Back at the hall, with the crowd dwindling, he soon spotted Julian, Eddie and Joe, standing rather dejectedly in a corner.
“We waited to see you before we left.”
Julian noticed the tenseness. “Mark, we’re not going back until the morning – staying at the Victoria. We could get you a room there too.”
“Thanks Julian. Great idea. But I need to get back tonight. Walk me to the car. Better still – we could do with a coffee – just over the road! Firstly though, we need to see Simon’s parents.”
Marj and Gary were still surrounded by relatives and friends. Seeing the bishop and Simon’s friends approaching, they left the group to join them.
Marj hugged each friend, with a whispered, “Thanks for everything. Simon won’t forget you. You have been wonderful friends.”
“We always will be!”
As they began to move on Gary pulled Julian aside, “Thanks. Please thank the others too. I let him down; you boys held him up.”
“You didn’t let him down. He knew you supported him. And he knew his mother needed you.” Julian squeezed his hand as Gary turned and joined the family group.
At the coffee shop, Mark wasted no time in relating what had transpired in the discussion between the two bishops.
“I’m telling you this in confidence. Also, perhaps a warning. Marcus is a good man, but with very warped, dangerous ideas on defending the Church. Be true to yourselves, but be careful!”
“We can’t let Ponti get away with it!”
“We owe it to Simon!”
“For now, we can and we must!” Julian replied to his two friends.
Eddie and Joe stared aghast at Julian. Gradually the crux of Julian’s statement dawned on them. They nodded slowly.
“I think it’s time we told Mark!”
Again his two friends nodded.
“Mark,” began Julian, “what I am about to tell you is something known only to the three of us – though I think Simon’s father has guessed. And, I don’t think I need emphasize – this is never to be repeated for any reason. Simon is gay. Because his mother is verging on homophobic she was never to know. So Simon kept his sexuality completely to himself – that is until he decided to trust the three of us. And I would be pretty sure he died a virgin. If we start proceedings we may eventually have our day in Court with Ponti. But for what price? Even questions of sexuality would devastate his mother and father – they have suffered enough! Ponti’s day of reckoning may come – but not now. Right now, in doing nothing, we do everything for Simon.”
“You’re right,” agreed Eddie.
“Yeah – but it’s still not right,” added Joe.
“No, it’s not right, I agree, Joe. But, right here and now, it’s what we owe Simon. For the future – who knows! But for us – Simon always comes first.”
“That’s for sure!” Eddie and Joe, almost in chorus.
“Thanks for trusting me.” Mark Levitt spoke quietly. “It is a sacred trust, never fear! Simon was lucky having such great friends he could always trust. Sorry to hurry away but I have a fair way to drive tonight. Bless you all.”
As Mark Levitt’s car faded into the distance, Eddie suggested, “Let’s head for our hotel. I think we all need a drink!”
“Great idea,” answered Joe. Then added, “There’s something I’d like to share with you.”
“Sure Joe. And I have something to share too,” added Julian.