The Celtic Conspiracy (31 page)

“I’d be happy to discuss that after our session. However, the United States is not claiming to be the representative of God on earth.” Several of the justices couldn’t refrain from laughing at Faster’s tantrum. “Now please sit down.”

Faster, frustrated, complied.

Barbara Andrews, one of the justices whom MacClary had always respected and admired, entered into the conversation. “My dear colleagues, our problem lies not only with the public reaction to the proceedings. There is also the matter of the Vatican’s status under international law. We should perhaps follow the opinion of the ICC and the majority of states, which—”

“What do you mean by that?” Ian Copter interrupted.

“Let me explain. Based on recent developments, it is quite possible that the next General Assembly of the United Nations will adopt a resolution to withdraw recognition of the Vatican as a subject of international law.”

“That’s completely ridiculous!”

Feelings were starting to run high, but Justice Andrews didn’t let this sway her.

“As I said, Justice Copter, that is the new opinion of the community of states. According to the classic rules of international law, what is missing from this construct is the essential feature of a state, namely citizens. The unusual thing about small nations is that membership is only given for a limited amount of time and—”

“That is irrelevant here. Until otherwise decided, the Holy See is a person governed by international law, and its members therefore enjoy the privileges appertaining to it,” Adrienne Morburg said. “But what are we talking about here anyhow?” Justice Morburg was usually somewhat shy, but she was also a very clever jurist who didn’t let herself be dragged into politics so easily.

“Let me finish. There is a gradual recognition that the diplomats of the Holy See are just a pale reflection of their former glory. They are relics from a time when the pope was intimately bound to the emperors and kings of Europe.”

Faster snorted. “And what does that have to do with this case?”

“A great deal. Above all, my esteemed colleagues, it should show us quite plainly that we cannot allow ourselves
to have any hesitation in handling this case like any other. If it should be determined that the case in Boston was dismissed with undue haste—”

MacClary put up his hands. “My dear colleagues, please, calm down. Justice Andrews is completely right. I was just in The Hague a few days ago. Even there, international law is experiencing a certain structural change. Still, I suggest that we concentrate here and now on the concrete case before us and look at what went wrong in Boston.” Andrews had done him a huge favor with her stance on international law and international significance, but he was trying not to be too obvious in his show of appreciation.

“An excellent idea,” Elora Spencer remarked dryly. “I have spent quite a bit of time with this case already, and I am voting for adoption of the petition.” She magnanimously looked around at the astounded faces of her colleagues. “Let’s hear what the lawyers have to say. And Faster, I’d like to take the liberty of saying one thing to you as a justice, but also as a wife and mother. For years I’ve been observing the victims of sexual violence in psychiatric clinics, and a not insignificant number of them involved church dignitaries. These people are with us in spirit at this table as we decide if it’s possible to bring the Vatican or even members of the Vatican to trial. As a Christian you should be the first one to lay aside your double standards and feel sympathy for these victims and for the millions of victims who have died over the past
centuries because of the Vatican’s aggressive claim to power.”

She said this with such piercing clarity that even Faster sank down into his chair and didn’t say another word.

Two days had passed. Despite Jennifer’s fears, nothing had been heard from the House of Representatives. Justice Spencer’s lecture had apparently made Faster come around. She was sure that he was behind the attempt to remove MacClary from office.

That morning Jennifer had invited everyone to the Hotel Monaco for breakfast to go over the final plan. While Deborah and Ronald were arguing over the best time for a press conference for the scientists and Jennifer was making last-minute notes, Shane was wearily staring at the television in the hotel bar, dozing off.

When the bartender changed the channel, Shane was jolted awake. CNN was reporting from Europe.

“Hey, could you turn that up, please?” Deborah asked the bartender.

“As announced today, a lawsuit has been filed in Boston against the Vatican. According to as yet unsubstantiated reports, it is not related to the current abuse cases. Instead, it concerns an internationally relevant cultural theft in which an American
citizen was reported to have been seriously injured. According to the charges, members of the Vatican police stole extremely provocative documents from the time of the founding of the Catholic Church from a private archaeological team from Ireland. The Vatican is said to be in illegal possession of a substantial number of the parchments. A team of experts and scientists in Washington has already substantiated the dating of other documents from the find and is attempting to sort through the first translations.

“According to the experts, the parchments are from the fourth century, the time of the founding of the Church, and are reported to reveal controversial details about the circumstances surrounding the Church’s beginnings. According to reports by the director of a private institute for archaeology in Washington, Joseph Pascal, this information will be made available to the scientific community in the coming days.

“The charges are being vehemently denied by the Vatican’s American legal team. Since the case has already been dismissed in Boston, the appeal will be heard starting tomorrow in the Supreme Court in Washington because of its international significance. Since news of the trial was announced, several hundred people have already gathered in front of the White House to demonstrate against any premature condemnation of the Vatican. It is rumored that Cardinal State Secretary Thomas Lambert has flown to Washington and will make a statement about the charges tomorrow.

“We turn now to Rome, where our correspondent Tom Leaver is in St. Peter’s Square to report on initial impressions there.”

MacClary stared speechless at the television.

Jennifer put a hand on his shoulder. “Ronald, we knew it wouldn’t remain a secret for long.”

“Yes, of course, that’s not what’s bothering me. We can’t let the demonstrations escalate. We have to be very careful to rein in the media tomorrow.” He turned to look at her. “Jennifer, you know that we can’t talk with each other in the courtroom. Please, no matter what happens, don’t reveal any more than necessary in the first hearing. In the second hearing, you’re free to do what you will. I can’t tell you more than that right now. They really think that they’re going to get out of this unscathed.” Shaking his head, he turned back to the television.

“Tom, what can you tell us?”

“Well, here in Rome, the reaction to the charges is relatively calm, and it’s rumored that the Vatican is trying to play down the whole thing as a mistake, that the case actually revolves around the actions of individuals rather than the Church. Many priests here are sure the facts of the case will be cleared up as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you, Tom. We’ll be bringing you continuing coverage of this in the coming days. As our reporter in the White House has learned, demonstrations have been reported in front of several US embassies, including those in Germany, Italy, and France.

“And now, a summary of the news from Europe.”

* * *

Jennifer looked at Shane’s face and could tell he wasn’t happy.

“Adam, what’s wrong?”

“The same thing that’s bothering Ronald,” Adam said, still staring, transfixed, at the screen. “We knew people would revolt. There have been too many horrible things for too many years to avoid that.”

Jennifer understood what he was saying. The first reactions from the churches demonstrated how much aggression this whole thing was unleashing, but then there were also voices like that of the American Bishop Ellington, who was calling for reforms in the Vatican and more courage in the face of historical truth.

“Jennifer, don’t you see what the danger is here?” Adam continued. “If people are reacting this way now, before a single detail about the actual content is made public...”

“I know, Adam. We’ll take care of that.”

“I hope so. I don’t want to be party to something that leads to widespread violence.”

“I know,” she said quietly, taking his hand. “I don’t either.”

“Then hang on to that feeling you have right now when you’re making your arguments in the Supreme Court tomorrow. We have to learn to stop the dogma, Jennifer. Let’s just lay the historical facts on the table and let the world show us what the legacy of the original inhabitants of Europe looks like.”

Jennifer thought about a conversation she’d had with Ryan a little while ago about his experiences with religion and revenge in Northern Ireland. Christianity determines
who would be the next victim. How long was this insanity going to go on? How long would people be allowed to use faith as a justification for murder, rape, and slavery?

Adam had started to stand up, but Jennifer grabbed his sweater and pulled him back down so that he landed right next to her on the bench.

“I have to tell you one more thing, Adam,” she said with a tenderness she rarely heard in her own voice. Then she took his face between her hands and pulled him gently toward her. She gave him a long, passionate kiss, trying to believe that no one was watching, even as she knew that couldn’t possibly be the case.

She pulled back. “What I wanted to tell you,” she said with a softness that belied the beating of her heart, “is that I love you, Adam Shane. Thank you for coming into my life.”

She wasn’t going to allow herself to wonder what had made her choose this moment to make that declaration. Instead, she stood up, took her coat, and went toward the exit at her usual quick pace.

When she got there, she turned around one more time. “I’ll see you all tomorrow. Be on time.”

Salvoni and Lambert had landed in Washington early that morning and were meeting with the archbishop of Washington, Cardinal John Jasper, who had been trying without success to exert some influence on the Supreme Court. They were headed toward the Supreme Court along with a dozen bishops from all over the country.

“Keep calm, Salvoni,” Lambert said sternly. “With God’s help, we’ll be done with this soon enough.”

Salvoni tried to take heed, but he didn’t have a good feeling about things.

* * *

It took them almost half an hour to get there. There were hundreds of demonstrators in front of the Supreme Court Building that morning. Jennifer rode with Louise Jackson through the crowd while Deborah and Shane followed in another taxi. She looked at the countless banners that were calling for an end to the hearings. Others read
“Peace for the Pope,” “Shame on you—God won’t forget this,” and other similar slogans. When Jennifer arrived, she saw reporters waiting for her at the entrance to the Great Hall. Until now, she had been an unknown face in Washington. Both of them managed to make their way through the crowd without having to make any comment, though they’d been barraged by camera flashes.

Jennifer sat down in the first row, her gaze fixed on the nine chairs of the justices. So much history had been made in this room. Even though the building had only stood since 1935, it looked as if it had been built during the time of the founding fathers. The white marble columns in front of the flowing red velvet curtains gave the entire hall a curious combination of warmth and power.

The hall was packed with people, among them numerous bishops in their red and white robes. Way up in front she could see the cardinal state secretary, Thomas Lambert. How sure of themselves these men were! And how uneasy she felt herself.