James A. Clark
‘El Nuncio’ is an absorbing tale built around the attempts of identical twin brothers to find their preordained roles in life. It is chiefly a counterpoint action and reaction of these two individuals as they search for adult accomplishment. One strives to be a humble cleric seeking to ‘serve’; the other hopes for a public personality eager to taste the rewards of political power. They confront their sibling’s psyche in the twists and turns that emerge in their attempts to achieve contrasting careers. However, neither can control his destiny, and, at times, their routes cross. But at the hub of their experiences is a quiet liaison affecting the course of events for both of them. Their competition challenges their inherent spiritual and physical strength.
Tracing the absorbing lives of the two young men enables a reader to peer into the world of Church policies as well as government procedures while watching the external influences that profoundly alter the personal and professional desires of each.
In the fictional land of Ahimsa, they struggle to find personal fulfillment. As they begin climbing their career ladders, other forces, civil and ecclesiastical, take over their country with little regard for their personal aims. We follow Pedro through the challenges that a celibate priesthood requires, and simultaneously we witness Cezar tangle with the disappointments that a political life can inflict upon its participants.
Several subplots involve many colorful characters including the Pope himself along with a myriad collection of other personalities. They help turn the novel into a thoughtful contrast of right and wrong, good and evil. The settings, characters, and plots make for a rich knit of fact and fancy.
James A. Clark, the author of ‘El Nuncio,’ has spent a number of years in Latin American missionary work.
During that time, he has traveled widely through much of the Latin American world. At one point, he was a field representative for the Papal Volunteers – a Catholic version of the Peace Corps. Clark was connected with relief programs and social welfare efforts when American troops occupied the Dominican Republic. In that posting, he experienced many occurrences similar to events that appear in his novel.
He also served in the diplomatic corps of the Church, under the auspices of the Papal Nuncio in Ottawa, Canada.
He has previously published a book on the Dominican Republic crisis – a factual account, published in 1967 by Newman Press, that received favorable reviews. ‘El Nuncio’ is a fictional reflection on the events of those days. However, there is no connection between experiences and characters in the story and actual people or happenings.
After leaving Church service, Clark taught English writing skills on the college level and in addition authored a weekly column and many magazine articles on ecclesiastical topics for the religious press.
Clark has composed this wide-ranging story to make people aware of the broad responsibilities that religious institutions shoulder during times of human suffering. He hopes that the tale will be informative and entertaining for his readers.
“El Presidente, my brother, why have you summoned me here today?”
“Monsignor, I have dramatic news for you. The country is about to be rocked again by another major upheaval!”
“What can that be, Cezar? We have just survived the assassination of the dictator and now we are going to have more trouble. What can be left to happen to us? Tell me. Does it concern me?”
“It could be momentous for you, my beloved twin. I have just learned that the cardinal is about to resign.”
“Mon dieu! How can that be? Why?”
“The papal envoy has just been here to inform me of what is about to occur. It seems that the Vatican is dis-pleased with his actions as cardinal and is transferring him out.”
“But why? He is a venerable old patriarch; everyone loves him.”
“Apparently everyone but the pope, Pedro. Do you remember the strike by the copper miners late last year?”
The president, waiting to judge his brother’s reaction, strolled over to his desk and, opening his humidor, chose a long, slim Cuban cigar. As he lit it, he offered one to his twin who declined, being much more anxious to move the conversation forward.
El Presidente’s dog, Sheeba, attracted by the sweet aroma of the cigar, meandered over to him. Cezar ruffled him and petted his snout. The dog was a constant companion, always ready with a dose of loyalty whenever the President should feel the need for such.
“Of course. Who wouldn’t remember that? It almost destroyed our entire economy,” Pedro replied.
“Well, do you recall what the cardinal did? How he went up to the mines and took the side of the workers, calling for change through improved wages, better living conditions, and increased safety measures. He practically condemned the capitalist owners and charged them with the wrath of God unless justice prevailed.”
“Yes, I often think about his courage and bravery. Without his help, the miners would have been forced back into the slave conditions of the past.”
“Ah, but the papacy knows who owns and runs those mines and while it too favors justice and human rights, it does not want to alienate the people who control this country and its resources, the Collosians.” El Presidente ambled around on the plush Oriental carpet, stopping every so often to admire its intricate design. He reflected half aloud that the rug was as complex as life; in both, it is difficult to find a pattern that makes sense. He knew that at all costs, he wanted to be involved in whatever routes a full mean-ingful life would take. He wondered about his brother who seemed satisfied to be but a small player on the world scene.
Usually, twins are expected to be more supportive than competitive. However, from the beginning in their common womb, these two brothers – Pedro and Cezar - have constantly collided. They probably learned how to compete by fighting over which would be the first one out of the womb. Just now, their squabble is about rank and power, but throughout their lives, there has always been a conflicting issue. In their battles, one of the boys generally called upon physical strength while the other relied on interior courage. Makes one wonder, could these young men really be twins – or even brothers? To decide, let us hear their tale.
Pedro glanced around the palatial room; he had been unaware of his surroundings since his brother had begun speaking. He had not been to the palace since the day his twin – after the dictator’s death – had been suddenly and surprisingly chosen from the back benches of the National Assembly to become the new president, selected as a result of a search for an unknown leader, untainted by any connection with the past brutal government.
The high ceilings were elaborately decorated, although now peeling here and there. Thick drapes seemed designed more for security than protection from the searing sun. The teak furniture was sturdy but ageing.
“How can they sidetrack such a powerful person as the cardinal? Next to the fallen dictator, he was the most influential man in the nation, but unlike President Jillo, he is revered.”
“They have threatened to split his archdiocese into three, and thus he would be only one among several bishops; his impact across the whole island would be greatly diminished. Plus, he would lose the financial support of many of his faithful. If he refused to go quietly, they would appoint two archconservative bishops for the other newly established dioceses so that in any vote, the cardinal would be outgunned.
“He is up against a wall; he has no choice.”
