Under de Ségur’s planning, the Cathars had left Belize discreetly and returned to their parishes in Southern France. Before their departure, de Ségur had informed them that the nominations of their fallen brethren’s replacements would be forthcoming. For the moment, de Ségur could enjoy luxuriating in one of his more personal, intimate passions: listening to classical music.
De Ségur entered the acoustically inert room, went over to his compact disc player and inserted Nicolas Harnoncourt’s rendition of J. S. Bach’s Mass in B minor. Having turned the volume up to near-maximum intensity, de Ségur took the baton resting on the mahogany pulpit and stood before the loudspeakers. At the stroke of his baton, the electronic eye switched on the CD player and the Staatskapelle choir burst into the gripping first bars of the ‘Kyrie’. De Ségur, every nerve in his body tingling with ecstasy, engulfed himself into the ineffable.
Then it happened.
He was waving the entry of the invisible continuo into the Aria with the baton, when his right hand started to shake uncontrollably and flung the baton away. He stood immobile while the music continued, staring for a moment into space. Soon, tears flooded his eyes. Already? This time there is no mistaking. It’s here.
Moments later, the large loudspeakers went silent. He replaced the baton on the pulpit, turned and fell exhausted into the sofa. I don’t have much time, he thought. They said six months at the most from the first signs. He picked up the red velvet covered book on the small walnut side table. He still remembered the day when his father had handed him the book titled Pierre de Combel: a Cathar knight’s journey.
‘It’s the story of our famous ancestor,’ his father had said in a quivering but solemn voice.
Hugues de Ségur knew Pierre de Combel almost better than he knew himself. His heart would fill with sorrow and pride at the recounting of the trials and tribulations that de Combel had endured, to become one of the mythical figures of southern France. In the besieged town of Minerve, at the head of only five hundred faithful, he’d successfully repulsed the four attacks of Simon de Montfort and his six thousand Catholic knights during some of the fiercest fighting of the Albigensian crusades. After many such bloody defeats at the hands of de Combel, the Inquisition had put a king’s ransom on his head. Eventually, through the treachery of de Combel’s mistress, five of the Inquisition’s monk-knights had caught him, asleep in a small inn near Castelnaudary.
De Ségur read how de Combel had suffered the torture of the rack, in the Inquisiton’s belief that, as did most of its victims, the knight would eventually renounce his heretic faith. De Combel hadn’t. The Inquisition had tortured him for four days, before death had finally delivered him from his tormentors.
Moments later, de Ségur, his eyes watery with anger, put down the book. The ritual was always the same: the ecstasy of the music followed by the agony of history.
De Ségur rose and summoned Gaspard. ‘Bring me the list,’ he said.
‘It’s not up to date, sir. Those missing are still on it.’
‘Bring it anyway. We can’t wait any longer.’
De Ségur looked at the list and sat in silence, lost in thought: eleven Cathars, mostly bishops and deacons, had drowned on the Bellerophon.
‘We’ll have to contact the bishops in Lombardy, Piedmont, Béziers and Albi,’ said Gaspard.
‘The new posts must be filled before we get news from Rome. We must take full advantage. Where is the list of new candidates?’
Gaspard brought in a sheet of paper to which was attached the CVs of aspiring Cathar priests. De Ségur reviewed the CVs of the new recruits one more time. He nodded in approval.
‘Prepare the nominations. I’ll sign them.’
Inside the Vatican, the news of Brentano’s demise had spread like locusts on a hot summer night. Nervous, Legnano waited in the antechamber of the papal library, wondering if he’d be next.
‘His Holiness will see you now,’ said Signorelli to Legnano, as he opened the door to the library and showed Legnano in.
Legnano crossed the room, and then bent over to kiss the proffered papal ring. He straightened and met the holy man’s warm smile. He looked more tired than usual.
‘Good to see you, Legnano. Please,’ he said, pointing to one of the chairs across his desk. ‘What is the reaction to Gonzales’s nomination?’
Legnano cleared his throat. ‘Mainly one of surprise, I’d say, your Holiness.’
‘Come, come, Cardinal, we are well used to surprises in the Vatican. Surely you can be a little more explicit.’
‘Actually, rumors have already started that there will be more changes. Everybody is a bit nervous, your Holiness.’
‘I see. Like at the beginning of, what is the expression, a corporate shake-up?’
‘Something to that effect, your Holiness.’
‘Don’t worry, Cardinal, I’m not about to change your posting.’
Legnano felt a wave of relief. ‘I’d be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind.’
‘The reason I’ve called you, Legnano, is to let you know as senior member of the Curia, that I’ve decided to convene an ecumenical council.’
Astonished, Legnano fumbled for words. ‘A … an ecumenical council?’
‘Yes. You see, Legnano, during my rest at Castel Gandolfo, I was able to give my undivided attention to some significant changes I have been considering for a long time. I must tell you that I also thought of these changes while I was being held in captivity. They say that there’s nothing like a life-threatening danger to focus the mind.’
‘Understandably, your Holiness.’ Legnano felt a jab of discomfort. He’d lived through the division and discord created by Vatican II’s substantial changes in Church doctrine.
‘In my prayers, I asked God to protect me, so that I could make these changes. I told myself that if God chose to spare my life, it would be His clear message that I should proceed with these changes. He answered my prayers, and I was reminded only this morning why. You see this file, Legnano?’ – he picked up a dark blue folder on the desk, and waved it at Legnano – ‘twenty-seven letters from archbishops mentioning cases of sexual abuses within their dioceses. Probably the tip of the iceberg.’ He put it down on the desk and picked up a beige holder. ‘I received this from Signorelli this morning: the Closed Churches file. Did you know that we closed down eighteen churches in the last month alone?’
‘I wasn’t aware of the exact number, your Holiness.’
‘To compound our problems, our financial situation is precarious and getting worse every day.’ He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. ‘Sforza tells me that we’ve started to sell assets to pay for recurring expenses. One doesn’t have to have a doctorate in economics to know where that leads. He says that St. Peter’s Pence hasn’t been this low since 1929.’ He paused, a frown forming on his generous forehead. ‘In short, Legnano, we are heading for disaster. The Church, our Church, must change, or die.’
‘I, I hadn’t thought of it in such drastic terms, your Holiness,’ Legnano ventured. ‘What would be on the agenda of such an ecumenical council?’
‘Everything in due course, Legnano. Don’t worry. As Secretary of State, you will be the first to receive my agenda. I simply wanted to advise you. For now, have Cardinal Fouquet draft the writs of convocation to the archbishops. I want this ecumenical council convened as soon as possible, Cardinal.’
‘To the archbishops, your Holiness? That would be breaking with tradition. Usually it’s the bishops who are—’
‘Archbishops only, Cardinal. I have my reasons.’
‘I see. Then a four months’ notice should be sufficient to give them the opportunity—’
‘Six weeks, Legnano. I want it convened in six weeks. They can pass on the invitations to their bishops later.’
‘Six weeks, your Holiness, that’s—’
‘Unusual, I know, but in today’s electronic age, quite achievable. I’m making the final corrections to the agenda. You should be receiving it within the next few days, perhaps sooner. In the meantime, that will be all, Cardinal.’
‘Yes … thank you, your Holiness.’ Legnano got up, kissed the papal ring and left the Pope’s library hastily. He returned to his office and summoned Fouquet.
‘Six weeks?’ said Fouquet, his mouth agape.
‘The bishops won’t be convened directly,’ said Legnano, still shaken. ‘Highly unorthodox, but there is precedent to that effect.’
‘Only when the ecumenical council rubberstamped the already-made decisions of the Pope.’
‘Perhaps His Holiness just wants to speed up the convocation process,’ said Fouquet.
‘Somehow I doubt it. He mentioned wanting to make significant changes, whatever that means.’
‘When will I receive the agenda?’
‘I’ll let you know. In the meantime, start preparing the writs of convocation for His Holiness to sign. I suggest you leave the date out, just in case we can’t meet the deadline.’
‘Yes of course … six weeks….’ Fouquet mumbled, turned and walked out.
Legnano reached down, opened the main drawer of his walnut desk and pulled out a small, white pack. He lit a cigarette. He hadn’t smoked in six months.
Legnano opened the sealed envelope handed to him by the papal secretary’s assistant, and slowly read the ecumenical council agenda. He paused, then reread it. ‘Mio Dio,’ whispered Legnano, staring at the assistant secretary in disbelief. He dismissed the cleric, walked quickly to his desk and began calling the rest of the Curia members.
‘Meet me in my office. It’s urgent,’ said Legnano to a refractory Sforza. Legnano waited, nervously pacing back and forth in the middle of the room as Signorelli, then Sforza entered, then Gonzales and Fouquet.
Legnano spoke. ‘Your Eminences, I apologize for such short notice, but you’ll soon understand why I’ve called this meeting.’ He distributed the documents to the cardinals. ‘This is the agenda of the ecumenical council. I will read the accompanying translation of the official Latin version.’
Legnano went to his desk, sat down, pushing back his glasses to the top of his aquiline nose. He began reading.
‘To the Archbishops
It is our wish, as Pope Clement the 21st, of the Holy Apostolic Roman Catholic Church of Peter, that the following measures, upon being considered by the ecumenical council, be debated and adopted as rules of the Church by said Council, and be confirmed by Ourselves at such time as we deem appropriate.
First: The Credo of the Holy Church, as adopted by the Ecumenical Council of Nicea dated 325 AD, as amended and confirmed by the Ecumenical Council of Nicea of 381 AD, is hereby repealed and replaced by the Credo in Annex ‘A’, in its existing form or such other form proposed by the Council and confirmed by Ourselves.’
Legnano paused and eyed the silent cardinals, a collective look of astonishment on their faces. ‘I don’t have a copy of the new Credo yet.’
‘Most interesting,’ said Fouquet.
The cardinals threw glances of feigned interest at each other, trying to hide their rapidly growing discomfort.
Legnano continued.
‘Second: The Council shall consider that the principle of the laity of priests, while it has served our Church up till now, be now revisited. A venerable objective per se, it has met with failure and has encouraged hypocrisy, transgression and sometimes criminal behavior.’
Legnano paused, looking up briefly at Sforza, whose usually twinkling eyes were remarkably immobile. Legnano plunged back into his text.
‘It has also become a permanent barrier to the successful recruiting of prelates, and the maintaining of a scandal-free Church. It is therefore our wish that the Council review, with the purpose of abolishing it, the principle of laity as a necessary precondition to access to priesthood within the Church.
Brentano broke in. ‘Incredible. Does that mean…?’
‘Let me finish, monsignor,’ interrupted Legnano, reading on.
‘Third: Recent archaeological discoveries, including the discovery of the Gospel of Thomas, have established beyond historical doubt that the Church of our forefathers has encouraged, in the past, the participation of women in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Based on such discoveries, we see no reason, historical, biblical, or otherwise, to prohibit access to the Catholic womanhood of today…’
‘Women?’ exclaimed Signorelli. He is going to allow women …’
Legnano slammed his fist onto the desk, ‘Monsignori, let me finish.’ He read on.
‘… in the dutiful exercises and offices of the Roman Catholic clergy. The Council shall review and discuss the conditions of implementation of such principle.’
Legnano cleared his throat and looked up from his text. The cardinals sat, staring wide-eyed.
‘Astounding,’ exclaimed Sforza, looking at Legnano, then at the rest of the prelates.
‘Unbelievable. I can’t believe what I’m hearing,’ said Signorelli.
‘Please, cardinals,’ said Legnano, his tone now conciliatory.
‘Fourth: The current structural organization of the church has outlived its economic, theological and administrative usefulness, and can no longer be viably sustained. We therefore ask the Council to review and consider the abolition of the role and function of Archbishop, to be replaced on a regional level by a Provincial Bishop. Existing archbishops will be reassigned dioceses or bishoprics by the Holy See, over a period of three years.’
‘He’s declaring war against the archbishops,’ said Sforza. ‘He’ll never….’
‘FIFTH!’ shouted Legnano, losing patience.
‘The Holy See has found it necessary to revisit the following elements of doctrine:
A) Transubstantiation during the Eucharist.
B) The virginal birth of Mary.
C) The physical resurrection of the body of Christ.
We feel the continued affirmation of these elements of doctrine have been increasingly difficult to sustain in the light of historical, ecumenical and biogenetic analysis, and have become a serious threat to the continuation of our Church’s primordial beliefs. We feel the non-accentuation of these principles will in no way diminish or violate the essential message of our Lord Jesus Christ. We therefore ask the Council to confirm the non-accentuation of these elements.’
Legnano closed the document. Clasped hands resting on the desk, he leaned forward, eyeing the now mute cardinals one by one, their faces frozen in incredulity. He pushed his glasses atop his nose again, speaking in a quiet but firm voice.
‘Now you understand why I’ve convened you.’
Signorelli spoke. ‘This is completely outrageous. This borders on … on heresy. Yes, I’ll say it, heresy. He’ll never get the Council’s approval. He’ll—’
‘Cardinal, may I remind you that he doesn’t need the Council’s approval. He is the ultimate authority. He is God’s interpreter,’ said Legnano.
‘Doesn’t he want to ensure legitimacy?’ said Sforza.
‘He’ll get it by the fact the Council has been convened. That’s all he needs to make it legitimate,’ answered Legnano.
There was a moment of silence as the cardinals stared at each other. Legnano turned to Gonzales, the newcomer, whose face seemed to irradiate a permanent, beatific grin. ‘Monsignor Gonzales, you haven’t spoken yet. What do you think of this?’
‘I, I would have to analyze the texts more closely,’ said Gonzales, seemingly caught by surprise. ‘We all know that the Church is in the need of reforms, yes?’ He smiled at the cardinals, seeking reassurance. ‘Although some of these seem quite drastic, I must admit. On the other hand as you pointed out, Cardinal Legnano, His Holiness is God’s interpreter.’
Following the meeting of the Curia the previous day, rumors were flying within the Vatican that the agenda of an upcoming ecumenical council would shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. Legnano summoned the cardinals to his office, in an attempt to defuse the looming crisis.
Cardinal Jean Fouquet spoke. ‘Your Eminences, this is heresy, I say, outright heresy. I cannot send this agenda to the archbishops. They’ll revolt and with good reason. Women priests? Abolition of the Holy Credo? These attack the very core of our beliefs. These alone are sufficient grounds for deposing him.’
‘What are you saying?’ said Sforza, his eyes twinkling with astonishment.
‘I’m saying we depose Clement XXI as of unsound mind,’ said Fouquet, his tone peremptory.
The cardinals looked at Fouquet in disbelief. ‘You cannot be serious,’ said Signorelli.
‘I’m dead serious, Cardinal,’ continued Fouquet, glaring down at the expansive Signorelli. ‘Pope Clement’s kidnapping has obviously affected his judgment to the point of insanity. Heresy and insanity. Both are grounds for deposition under Canon law,’ said Fouquet.
‘Monsignor,’ said Sforza. ‘Even if we were to agree to this, this extraordinary procedure, from what I remember in my seminary days, it is long and sometimes inconclusive. Also, I remind you that Pope Benedict IX held the papacy three times, even if deposed.’
‘Your Eminences, we don’t have the luxury to wait,’ said Fouquet. ‘Once he issues the writs of convocation for the Council, we cannot start the deposition procedure. I say we act now.’
‘Your Eminences, please, a bit of calm,’ said Legnano. ‘Before we even think of such a move, consider its effect on the Church. The deposition proceedings will wreak absolute havoc. There will be a fight for power. It will turn into an ugly legal battle before the courts of the Vatican. Do we really want this? Don’t forget once the procedure is started, it can’t be stopped. Who knows what this may lead to? Another schism? Do we want to trigger another Avignon? Come now, surely we don’t have to go that far.’
‘Why not let the ecumenical council judge him?’ said the cherubic Signorelli. ‘That way, he will see the error of his ways or if he persists, we’ll have the solid support of the Church to depose him.’
Gonzales, who had remained markedly silent, spoke. ‘Monsignori, let me be the devil’s advocate for a brief moment.’
‘Of course,’ said Sforza.
‘What if the Council accepts the Pope’s proposed changes?’
The cardinals didn’t have long to think of a response, before Cardinal Legnano spoke again. ‘Your Eminences, we have another urgent problem to discuss.’
The cardinals looked at Legnano, then at each other, perplexed.
Legnano took a piece of paper from underneath his agenda and waved it at the cardinals. ‘I received this, earlier this morning. It’s from de Ségur. It’s about the diary.’
Upon receiving Legnano’s pressing call about the letter, Dulac had caught the mid-morning flight to Rome and taken a taxi to the Vatican. He entered Legnano’s office.
‘Thank you for coming on such short notice, inspector,’ said Legnano, clasping Dulac’s hand warmly.
‘De Ségur rings my bell every time, Your Eminence.’
‘I’m not sure what you mean.’
‘Gets my attention, if you prefer.’
‘By the way, inspector, I’ve heard that you’ve been suspended. Is that information correct?’ Legnano asked, a look of sympathy on his rugged face.
‘Good news travels fast.’
‘Actually, this might be better….’
‘I’m not sure I follow.’
‘Never mind, I’ll explain later. Please, inspector.’ Legnano showed him to the sofa in the center, and handed Dulac de Ségur’s letter. ‘We received this yesterday.’
‘To Cardinal Guiseppe Legnano, Secretary of State, the Vatican.
Your Eminence,
This letter constitutes an offer to sell to the Vatican the extracts of the document entitled ‘My Diary’, by Oberleuitnant Hans-Georg Weber, third Army, 42nd division, more particularly chapters 11 to 15, covering the period in 1943 during which the Oberleuitnant was stationed in Naples. To the best of our knowledge, we possess the only version of the diary. We find it is becoming increasingly difficult to assure its confidentiality. You will undoubtedly agree that it would be safer in the Vatican’s archives, which offer better protection against loss and/or eventual dissemination to the press. The price is €10 million, to be deposited by hot wire transfer, at a bank account we will disclose in due course. Upon receipt of the funds, the extracts of the diary will be deposited at a trustee of your choosing.
Your acceptance must be confirmed by the following announcement before the beginning of the Pope’s Angelus tomorrow on Radio Vatican: ‘Prata florescent quotidie magis.’
Time is of the essence. Hugues de Ségur.’
‘The man doesn’t let up,’ said Dulac. ‘If I remember my Latin, he’s saying “the meadows will bloom, day by day.”’
‘Very good Mr Dulac,’ Legnano said.
‘Has His Holiness seen it?’
‘There’s no need to implicate and embarrass His Holiness any further. We’ve discussed it within the Curia, Mr Dulac, and concluded that even if we pay de Ségur, he’ll make copies and continue his blackmail.’
‘I see,’ said Dulac, starting to feel ill at ease.
‘Mr Dulac, I won’t beat around the bush.’ Legnano, his hands clasped on his lap, shifted slightly to face Dulac. ‘The Vatican is facing an internal crisis of major proportions. We really didn’t need this additional bit of aggravation. The Curia discussed the impact this diary would have on the papacy if made public and we decided this threat must be eliminated.’
Dulac sat in silence, his jaw agape. ‘I, I think I misunderstood.’
‘You heard correctly, Mr Dulac.’
‘Why, why are you telling me this, your Eminence?’
‘Because we think you can best execute the mandate.’
Dulac sat upright on the edge of the sofa, ‘I’m, I’m sorry. I’m at a loss here. You want me to eliminate de Ségur?’
‘I didn’t say that, Mr Dulac. We want you to eliminate the threat.’
‘Pretty thin distinction. Anyways, I’ve been suspended. I don’t—’
‘Actually it’s all the better for us. You can give this, this mandate your complete attention. Consider it a private matter, Mr Dulac. Nothing to do with Interpol. You will be paid accordingly.’ Legnano took back the letter from Dulac’s quivering hands.
‘Monsignor, just out of interest, what would be the terms of this … mandate?’
‘Before we discuss the details, we wish to determine your level of commitment. Should you refuse, Mr Dulac, this conversation never occurred. Are we clear on that?’
‘I’m still having trouble digesting all this, your Eminence.’
‘Of course. But as the letter states, we don’t have much time. Tell me, as a matter of professional interest, Mr Dulac, if you were to accept, I presume you would call on some…. I believe you have some contacts?’
‘I’m not sure what you mean by contacts.’
‘I mean, in your capacity as Interpol agent, you may have come across persons that could—’
‘None that come to mind, off hand. But I’m still curious. Why me, your Eminence?’
‘Because we trust you, Mr Dulac. Because this file is highly sensitive. Because you are the only one, apart from ourselves and de Ségur, who knows about the diary. Besides we thought it would seem natural that you would be motivated to “close the file”, so to speak.’
Dulac shifted uncomfortably in the sofa. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, your Eminence, but you still haven’t answered my question. How am I supposed to eliminate the threat without eliminating the person behind it?’
‘I leave that entirely up to you, Mr Dulac. It’s the result that counts.’
‘If I were to even consider this, just the logistics for this kind of operation would be expensive. Very expensive.’
‘Mr Dulac, I haven’t made myself clear. Price is not a meaningful consideration.’
‘And you want my answer yesterday.’
Legnano nodded.