Peter Tremayne - The Devil's seal

The Venerable Verax grimaced, not trying to hide his distaste. ‘Many of us believe that only in celibacy can we of the Faith serve God completely and without distraction.’

‘A curious notion, but we will not debate it. We find Rome often preaches many notions that are alien to our understanding of life,’ Fidelma said briskly. ‘I believe Brother Eadulf has discussed that very topic with your Brother Bosa.’

Abbot Ségdae saw an opportunity to speak on a favourite subject. ‘Here, we believe that men and woman are responsible for all their acts — whether they be good or evil. We are all capable of redemption. Yet I have heard that Rome now believes in the teaching of Augustine of Hippo, who declared that the original sin of Adam and Eve, at the beginning of time, tainted human nature, and from that time we were all condemned, each and every one of us. Only God knew who He would consign to Heaven or to Hell. Rome believes that no matter what a person does in their life, no matter how good or how evil, they are already condemned. We find that a curious and disturbing belief.’

The Venerable Verax’s face had become blotched with red. ‘We know that you are misled by the teachings of Pelagius. His heresy has long been declared at Rome.’

‘Pelagius, in stating that we are all capable of choosing between good and evil and saving our own souls, was merely echoing what we all believe. Augustine’s teaching imperils moral law, and, above all things, we believe in law in this land. If we follow his logic then we have permission to indulge freely in evil because, whatever crimes we commit, Augustine says that we have no chance of redemption, or choice between Heaven and Hell. It has already been decided.’

‘God has infinite knowledge. Whatever we do, our future is ordained. Pelagius has been condemned,’ burst out the Venerable Verax.

‘Zosimus, Bishop of Rome, supported Pelagius — but when Augustine and his friends applied political pressure, he was forced to declare Pelagius’ teachings heretical,’ Abbot Ségdae replied steadily.

‘Indeed, his teachings were declared heretical — but here in these western fastnesses you still cling to his heresy!’ The elderly prelate was getting really angry now.

Colgú himself was also clearly annoyed with the direction of the exchange. ‘I was not aware that I had called another council to discuss aspects of the Faith. I repeat: is this why you are here, Venerable Verax? If so, a proper council should have been summoned by the abbots and bishops involved. This is a matter for ecclesiastics and not for kings.’

Venerable Verax collected himself and said more calmly, ‘My apologies. The Bishop of Rome is concerned that these western reaches are without a strong guidance as to the Faith. He was inclined to support the argument that the Archbishop of Canterbury might extend his authority over all the abbots and bishops of this island in order to secure some form of religious conformity. The reason we are here is to gather information as to whether that would be acceptable, or whether there is some alternative.’

The silent response was one of astonishment at the suggestion. Then Abbot Ségdae said slowly: ‘There are too many differences in the paths chosen by our churches and among our people to take that proposition seriously.’

Even Eadulf was utterly surprised at the suggestion and felt he should contribute. ‘Canterbury does not even exert religious authority over all the kingdoms of the Angles and Saxons,’ he spoke up, ‘let alone the kingdoms of the Britons in the west and the kingdoms of the Cruthin and Dál Riadans in the north. The Bishop of Rome is either not well informed or has been misled by his advisers.’

A look of annoyance crossed the Venerable Verax’s features. He seemed about to say something in retort but then smiled thinly and said, ‘What is the purpose of seeking information, other than to see how such a proposal would be received?’

‘And this is why you are here?’ Colgú demanded, still disbelieving. ‘To see how we would react to such a proposal? Then you can be assured that we, in the Kingdom of Muman, would be united against any such idea. I am sure that you will have heard similar opposition when you were in the Kingdom of Laighin.’

‘Yet we have also heard that there are some prelates of these kingdoms who wish to see an Archbishop preside over all the abbots and bishops here,’ replied Venerable Verax.

Abbot Ségdae grunted, and said dismissively, ‘We are aware that for some time the abbots at Ard Macha have tried to claim themselves to be the heirs of Patricius, and further, claim that he was the first to preach the Faith among the Five Kingdoms. Therefore, they argue they should be senior in rank to all other cleries on this island.’

‘And you disagree with that?’

‘As we told you before, you will find few who agree. It is a fact that the Bishop of Rome sent Patricius here as his bishop to those who had already been converted to the Faith. Moreover, he was sent here to argue against what Rome saw as the heretical teachings of Pelagius, which we had accepted. There were many teachers of the Faith here before Patricius the Briton — even the emissary from Rome, Palladius, who our friends in Ard Macha would prefer to wipe out of history.’

‘So you would not agree that the abbots or bishops of Ard Macha have an historic right to be Archbishops over all these kingdoms?’

‘Certainly not. Ségéne, the current Abbot of Ard Macha,’ Abbot Ségdae carefully emphasised the correct title, ‘is even opposed by the Abbot of Dún Lethglaisse, for it was there that the same Patricius the Briton lived, died and is buried.’

‘So who would you claim to be senior among the churches?’ pressed the Venerable Verax.

‘Here in Muman we have had several teachers of the Faith who taught and established their abbeys in the south before Patricius the Briton arrived in the northern kingdoms. I, for example, am the comarb , the successor of the Blessed Ailbhe of Imleach; then there was Ciarán of Saighir; Declán of Ard Mór; Abbán of Magh Arnaide; Fiacc established the abbey of Slèibhte before Patricius visited him there; even Ibar set up his community on the island of Beg Ériu in Laighin long before Patricius.’

‘Are you saying that these abbeys would claim precedence over Ard Macha?’

‘It is long known that Imleach has been regarded as the first and most senior abbey in the south of this island. It is accepted in our Kingdom of Muman.’ Colgú spoke deliberately in support of his Chief Bishop as it seemed that Abbot Ségdae was taking the brunt of the debate with the Roman prelate.

‘If you had asked these same questions in the Kingdom of Laighin, on your way here, I think you would have received similar answers,’ confirmed Fidelma.

The Venerable Verax turned to her. ‘Ah yes. ., you were formerly Sister Fidelma and dwelled some time among the religious at Cill Dara. I am told that is in the Kingdom of Laighin?’

‘I was there until I decided to serve my brother in my capacity as an advocate of our laws.’

‘I heard that you left the abbey, after having disagreed with the abbess? Abbess Ita, wasn’t it?’ mused the Venerable Verax.

Fidelma made no reply, remembering the crimes of the abbess from which she had walked away, rather than expose her as a thief and murderess. Soon after, Abbess Ita had left and disappeared on some missionary cause beyond the shores of Laighin.

‘Abbot Moling, who is Chief Bishop of Laighin, told me Cill Dara also claims to have precedence over all the other religious houses because it was established by the Blessed Brigit,’ went on the Venerable Verax. ‘That would never be countenanced by Rome.’