This is a work of fiction. It shouldn’t be.
The New York Herald, 6/14/21: My name is Frank Murphy. I’m writing this story about my childhood friend, Father Michael Carl, who has become world famous, because he appeared on television and spoke about the COVID vaccine in uncompromising terms.
I’ve worked as reporter for the Herald for 16 years. During that time, I’ve made confession several times to Michael. The last time was a day before he refused to resign from the Church.
To the best of my memory, this was my recent conversation with him. Read it.
A CONFESSION
---Why are you here, Frank?
I’m pulling on a string, Father.
Short or long?
It’s longer than I thought it was. It starts with what everybody’s talking about. The vaccine.
Right. I’ve read several of your articles.
I quoted experts who say it’s safe and effective. But now I see those claims are wrong.
And you blame yourself?
My confession is not exactly on my behalf.
What are you talking about, Frank?
The other New York papers, the news networks, the Vatican, the Pope---
I see. You’re a saint now, asking me to forgive OTHER sinners.
No. I’m not asking for any kind of forgiveness. I’m asking for justice.
You know, I’ve had other people come to me with this sort of thing.
What sort of thing?
The delusion that they’re responsible for the whole world.
The vaccine is dangerous. I’ve seen reports the government won’t release to the public. It’s a lot worse than people think. It’s a disaster. Horrific.
Assuming what you’re saying is true, what do you want from me?
I need advice. The Pope is telling all Catholics to take the shot. What does he know? Nothing. He’s part of the problem.
Which problem is that, Frank?
Let’s call it an apparatus: the authorities who are pretending the vaccine is safe. The Pope is involved.
Knowingly? He’s making statements he’s sure are untrue?
Yes. That’s my opinion.
Well, Frank, many people would say he’s going with the tide. He’s on a wave. The Church makes decisions based on public opinion.
I thought God’s opinion ranked first.
It should, but we don’t live in that world. Our institutions, including the Church, are committed to Collectivism.
Meaning what?
Meaning the first priority is believing THE GROUP is paramount and THE INDIVIDUAL and his conscience mean nothing.
What about God?
He helps those who help themselves.
I’m not hearing that from the Pope.
And you won’t. He’s…
He’s what?
He’s put himself and the Church into captivity.
I never thought I’d hear you say that.
When I was younger, I never thought I would.
So you and I are in the same boat? How did that happen?
We took a step back and looked at the corruption.
Why do you stay in the Church?
To hear the confessions of people who are troubled.
So you’re a rebel inside the system.
I’m the same person you’ve known since we were children.
The Pope is corrupt.
OF COURSE he’s corrupt. He’s looking the other way whenever he needs to. He’s the CEO of a major transnational corporation called the Church.
Pedophilia, child rape…he would be looking the other way on those crimes, too.
I assume so.
You wouldn’t look the other way.
I’m not going to become the Pope.
Why don’t you speak out against him?
I’ve been considering it.
I came to you for advice…but you’re in a worse situation than I am.
Maybe.
But you’re a priest.
What does that mean? To me, it means I pray for God’s guidance. That’s all. And I try to do the right thing.
According to the Church, being a priest means a lot more than that.
I ignore the inessentials.
Suppose the Pope sends you a message ordering you to recommend the vaccine to your congregation?
I’d ignore it. And that message has already been sent. The Pope has made the Church’s position clear.
So do you have any advice for me?
Do the right thing. Make your views known. Write what you believe is true.
Then lots of people would think I’m crazy.
Wear that as a badge. If the world believes you’re nuts, you’re making progress.
What makes you…different?
It remains to be seen how different I am. But I’ve never taken my robe and status as a license to steal the truth and hide it.
So if I show you documents about the vaccine, and studies---you know, evidence that it’s dangerous and ineffective…
If your evidence makes sense, I’ll go public with it.
You will?
Why wouldn’t I?
A little thing called consequences.
It’s too late to worry about that.
I never expected to hear all this from you.
You never brought up what you’re bringing up today.
So you’ve been waiting for me to catch up with you.
We’re not in a contest, Frank.
What keeps you going?
My faith. THE LOST SHALL BE FOUND.
Meaning what?
It means the people we love and the ideals we love…that are taken away from us…they’ll be restored. We’ll find them again.
And if they aren’t restored?
Then we’re living in an artificial prison, and we’ll have to force our way out and search for what we lost.
Against all the odds?
That’s right.
I came to you to talk about one thing, and now we’re talking about something else.
It’s all one proposition. We’re in a corner. We need to come out fighting.
You think God wants us to?
It’s hard to believe He wants us to be passive.
Even if the whole Church goes down?
I doubt you or I will decide that. But we can remain true to ourselves. Jesus threw the money changers out of the Temple. I think he was having an off-day when he said "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.”
After all the years we’ve known each other, why is this the first time we’re talking about these things?
Because Caesar recently locked down---imprisoned---a major piece of the planet. I thought the Pope would have something serious to say about that, but I was wrong. Naïve. I was deluding myself.
And now you’re not.
Maybe you and I have arrived at a similar place, Frank.
By coincidence?
If Las Vegas posted odds on such outcomes, I think they’d be long against coincidence.
Maybe we should consult the Pope about those odds.
Unfortunately, he’s too busy with other matters.
The Church is too big.
The Church, governments, foundations, secret societies. You can’t even get an audience with the Devil. He’s in meetings.
You tried to put in a call to him?
I once talked to a serial killer. He came to me. Looking at his face was quite an experience.
But you were bound by the seal of confession.
Fortunately, the day after our conversation, by sheer accident, the police picked him up.
By accident.
That’s my understanding.
Who do you confess to?
God.
Does He listen?
I believe He does.
How do you decide whether a person is evil, a coward, or just an idiot?
Every seminary student should have to wrestle with that question. I work well in close quarters. That’s why I’m in the confession business. Put someone in front of me, let me talk to him, and I think I can make a pretty good assessment of his character. At a distance, I’m not as competent.
I should find a way to bring Andrew Cuomo here.
Give me a half-hour with him, and I’d have a reliable report.
How do you assess my character?
You’re serious, but you hold back. You want to keep an ace in the hole. You want to win the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. That’s why you’re talking to me.
You’d rather I make up my mind what to do on my own?
Of course. I’d be a fool if I didn’t. Because that’s what it comes down to anyway.
I thought people were supposed to take their inspiration from the Church.
From God.
The Church is a lot easier to find.
That’s why it has so much money.
I vote for you to declare a Schism and found a Church Apart. Become a Pope in Exile.
We’re in a bad time, Frank. My bosses are corrupt. So are yours.
Did God create us with a conscience?
The core of one. But we have to develop it. And then guide ourselves with it.
I’m leaving this folder with you. It has the information about the vaccine.
If I’m convinced the case is solid, I can get on television. I have a way. I can talk directly to New Yorkers. The Catholics, in particular, will pay attention.
Are you sure you want to do that? What if something happens to you?
Tell people to call the Pope. Pull him out of his meetings with accountants and lawyers and PR flacks. If I find myself in the next world, in the afterlife, I’ll pay you a visit and tap you on the shoulder. THE LOST SHALL BE FOUND. Now let’s go have a drink and talk about the Yankees and the Mets. And summer afternoons on Coney Island Avenue…
Those were better days.
Maybe not. Now, today, we have a chance to show what we’re really made of.
~~~
(The link to this article posted on my blog is here.)
(Follow me on Gab at @jonrappoport)
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