CHAPTER 114

CHAPTER 114

— A VERY LIMITED NUMBER? This seems very vague to me, how many people in all would have access to this correspondence? — insisted Gregory Evans.

— Well, due to the secrecy of ecclesiastical correspondence, I would say, in theory, that in the Vatican only the Pope could have access to this letter.

— In theory?

— Yes, in theory, because although Canon Law determines that the Catholic priest communicates only to his immediate superior and His Holiness the knowledge of the secret to which he had access, it is very likely that this letter passed through other hands. You see, Detective, it must have been received at the general post office and then forwarded to the Vatican Secretariat, only then would it reach the hands of the pontiff.

— If it arrived at all — Fernando Dante replied.

— On this route it could be intercepted, you mean?

— Exactly, Detective! The Church has powerful enemies, and it is quite possible that these have infiltrated agents even within the Vatican.

— Powerful enemies? — Greg inquired, looking furtively at Fernando — what enemies would those be?

— The Devil... the Devil and his demons, Detective — the bishop said with conviction.

— The devil? As far as I know the Devil is a soul-destroyer, not a priest-killer — Greg said in mock surprise.

— I agree with you. The Devil is a spiritual being, soul destroyer, whose objective is to lead as many souls as possible to hell. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have flesh and blood fans.

— Flesh and blood fans! Do you then believe that this crime was committed by Satanists?

— This is what I believe, but what seems more serious to me is that they are infiltrated within the Vatican itself.