Rome, Innocent and Celestine, first put forward two centuries ago: that it was the right of Rome to rule over all the Christian churches. That is why the Bishop of Rome is addressed as the Father of the Faithful, the Papa, as it is in Latin,’ Fidelma explained.
‘I support that idea for the very reasons accepted at Whitby,’ added Eadulf. ‘We are taught that Peter was the rock on which Christ placed the responsibility for His church on earth and it was in Rome that, we are told, Peter founded that church. Rome has the right…’
Fidelma did not suppress her exasperated sigh.
‘This is no time for such theological arguments. My brother is stating that people like Bishop Petrán may have cause to hate us and hate our child because of their religious attitudes. Is that right?’
Colgú nodded. ‘I hasten to say that I do not point the finger at Petrán but simply at people who think like him and might harbour hatred and take that hatred to extremes. There are always fanatics about.’
Eadulf grimaced morosely. ‘Petrán is fanatic enough. Our argument nearly came to physical blows.’
‘Why so?’ Fidelma frowned, leaning forward suddenly. ‘You did not mention that.’
‘It was when he was declaiming on the piety of the Bishops of Rome in connection with his celibacy argument. I could not help but point out that if the Blessed Hormidas, Bishop of Rome, had not slept with his lady, then Rome would not have had his son the Blessed Silverius sitting, as his successor, on the throne of Peter. He was almost bursting with anger in attempting to deny that any Bishops of Rome married, let alone had children. Why,’ Eadulf warmed to his theme, ‘even Innocent, the firstof his name to be Bishop of Rome, and who expounded the Petrine theory, was the son of Anastasius who had also been Bishop of Rome, and—’
‘Is Bishop Petrán still at Cashel?’ interrupted Fidelma, cutting Eadulf’s enthusiastic argument short.
Colgú shook his head. ‘Bishop Ségdae sent him on a tour of the western islands. He left over a week ago.’
‘So that eliminates Petrán,’ Fidelma said with satisfaction.
‘But Petrán has followers, and it is precisely because he has strong views and leads a group who are fanatic about their ideas that such things should not be overlooked. I will ask Finguine to check the religious quarters of the palace as a matter of course.’
Fidelma shrugged. ‘I doubt whether it will reveal anything, because, if such a plot was envisaged, exacting minds such as Petrán and those around him would not leave any evidence of it in their quarters,’ she said, as if dismissing the matter.
‘That is true, but even the most clever mind can sometimes overlook the obvious,’ commented Colgú.
‘I think we should set out before the day is older.’ Fidelma rose abruptly from her chair.
‘You still wish to catch up with the pilgrims at Imleach?’ Colgú demanded.
‘There is still no other path to follow.’
‘Then, in view of what I have just said, I am sending Capa, my commander of the guard, with you. I told him to stand ready.’
Fidelma exchanged a glance with Eadulf.
‘Are you are concerned, brother, that we are really in some tangible danger?’ she asked softly.
‘For the very reasons that we have just been discussing, sister,’ Colgú replied solemnly.
For a moment or two, Eadulf thought that Fidelma would argue with her brother. He knew she hated to be accompanied by armed warriors, even for her own protection. But Fidelma simply shrugged.
‘Then make sure that Capa is at the gates within the hour, for Eadulf and I will depart for Imleach before the noonday bell has finished striking.’
They left the king’s apartments, passing Capa as he entered to receive his instructions. They were passing down the corridor back to their ownchambers when a young warrior halted them by the simple expedient of standing in their way in the narrow corridor.
‘Forgive me, lady,’ he began
‘I support that idea for the very reasons accepted at Whitby,’ added Eadulf. ‘We are taught that Peter was the rock on which Christ placed the responsibility for His church on earth and it was in Rome that, we are told, Peter founded that church. Rome has the right…’
Fidelma did not suppress her exasperated sigh.
‘This is no time for such theological arguments. My brother is stating that people like Bishop Petrán may have cause to hate us and hate our child because of their religious attitudes. Is that right?’
Colgú nodded. ‘I hasten to say that I do not point the finger at Petrán but simply at people who think like him and might harbour hatred and take that hatred to extremes. There are always fanatics about.’
Eadulf grimaced morosely. ‘Petrán is fanatic enough. Our argument nearly came to physical blows.’
‘Why so?’ Fidelma frowned, leaning forward suddenly. ‘You did not mention that.’
‘It was when he was declaiming on the piety of the Bishops of Rome in connection with his celibacy argument. I could not help but point out that if the Blessed Hormidas, Bishop of Rome, had not slept with his lady, then Rome would not have had his son the Blessed Silverius sitting, as his successor, on the throne of Peter. He was almost bursting with anger in attempting to deny that any Bishops of Rome married, let alone had children. Why,’ Eadulf warmed to his theme, ‘even Innocent, the firstof his name to be Bishop of Rome, and who expounded the Petrine theory, was the son of Anastasius who had also been Bishop of Rome, and—’
‘Is Bishop Petrán still at Cashel?’ interrupted Fidelma, cutting Eadulf’s enthusiastic argument short.
Colgú shook his head. ‘Bishop Ségdae sent him on a tour of the western islands. He left over a week ago.’
‘So that eliminates Petrán,’ Fidelma said with satisfaction.
‘But Petrán has followers, and it is precisely because he has strong views and leads a group who are fanatic about their ideas that such things should not be overlooked. I will ask Finguine to check the religious quarters of the palace as a matter of course.’
Fidelma shrugged. ‘I doubt whether it will reveal anything, because, if such a plot was envisaged, exacting minds such as Petrán and those around him would not leave any evidence of it in their quarters,’ she said, as if dismissing the matter.
‘That is true, but even the most clever mind can sometimes overlook the obvious,’ commented Colgú.
‘I think we should set out before the day is older.’ Fidelma rose abruptly from her chair.
‘You still wish to catch up with the pilgrims at Imleach?’ Colgú demanded.
‘There is still no other path to follow.’
‘Then, in view of what I have just said, I am sending Capa, my commander of the guard, with you. I told him to stand ready.’
Fidelma exchanged a glance with Eadulf.
‘Are you are concerned, brother, that we are really in some tangible danger?’ she asked softly.
‘For the very reasons that we have just been discussing, sister,’ Colgú replied solemnly.
For a moment or two, Eadulf thought that Fidelma would argue with her brother. He knew she hated to be accompanied by armed warriors, even for her own protection. But Fidelma simply shrugged.
‘Then make sure that Capa is at the gates within the hour, for Eadulf and I will depart for Imleach before the noonday bell has finished striking.’
They left the king’s apartments, passing Capa as he entered to receive his instructions. They were passing down the corridor back to their ownchambers when a young warrior halted them by the simple expedient of standing in their way in the narrow corridor.
‘Forgive me, lady,’ he began
Similar Books
