‘I am not so sure. You have a high standing in the town.’
‘You will consider my request?’
‘I will consider it, my son, and I shall expect you to abide by my decision.’
Father Minos bowed his head. He was under oath to obey his Bishop.
‘Call upon me again in a week, when I have had time to consider your request.’
Father Minos kissed the Bishop’s outstretched hand and bowed his way from the audience chamber. He had not expected an immediate decision. He tried to fill his mind with the problems of his parish, but found he continually lost his train of thought and was once again re-living his interview with the Bishop, cursing himself for the mistakes he had probably made. He felt more nervous than he had the previous week as he waited once again in the vestibule to be called for his audience. As he crossed the room he tried to read the answer in the face of the Bishop, but, as usual, the man was quite inscrutable.
‘My son, are you still of the same mind?’
‘I am, your Lordship.’
The Bishop sighed. ‘I have thought over carefully all you told me last week. I can find no fault with your motives, they are worthy of your calling, but I cannot give you my blessing.’
Father Minos felt his heart sink. His voice sounded strangled as he tried to ask the reason.
‘Your work in this city is too valuable to be discarded. Maybe if you had a novice working with you, learning your ways and willing to take on your responsibilities, I could have considered your call and given you leave. As it is,’ the Bishop spread his hands. ‘I cannot allow you to go. Your flock would be left without a shepherd to guide them.’
Father Minos struggled for words. ‘That is the only reason, my Lord?’
The Bishop nodded.
‘If I could find someone willing to take over my parish, someone acceptable to yourself and the parishioners, could that alter your decision?’
‘If you were able to find such a priest.’ The Bishop smiled kindly at the unhappy man before him. ‘I am sorry to have disappointed you, my son.’
‘Thank you, your Lordship.’ Again Father Minos kissed the outstretched hand and left the room. He felt frustrated and unreasonably annoyed with the Bishop. His steps led along familiar roads to his tiny church and he looked at it with distaste, immediately feeling guilty. He hurried inside and knelt on the hard stone before the altar, asking for forgiveness for the wicked thoughts that had entered his head and also for a peaceful heart. An hour later he rose, calmer and resigned to staying in Heraklion. He passed the afternoon composing a letter to the council members, explaining that much as he wished to comply with their recommendation to move to Spinalonga as soon as possible, his Bishop had refused permission. He permitted himself a wry smile. No doubt he had upset their plans in some way.
He resumed his duties, trying hard to put his disappointment firmly to the back of his mind and concentrate on the many problems that surrounded him. A visit to the hospital brought back poignant memories of the island, of Yannis, Andreas… Andreas! Of course! Cursing himself for a fool he hurried from the hospital. There was still time to make arrangements to visit Aghios Nikolaos that afternoon.
Andreas looked at Father Minos in disbelief. ‘You are serious, aren’t you?’
Father Minos nodded. ‘I was never more serious. You’re the answer to my prayer.’
‘What happens then if the Bishop does not agree?”
‘Then there’s nothing lost. You’ll have gained some valuable experience. You can still return here, taking your turn with the others to take a Mass or visit the sick, until such time as they feel you’re ready for a parish of your own. These things can take a long time. You can be ready, but there’s not always a vacancy for years.’
Andreas considered. ‘If the Bishop did accept me, what would I have? I don’t mean to sound mercenary, but I’ve no money of my own and I don’t want to ask my father for an allowance.’
‘I thought your father was reasonably affluent, for a fisherman?’
Andreas smiled. ‘He is. He’s lived frugally and worked hard.’
‘Is he still planning to visit your sister in Athens?’
Andreas shook his head. ‘I wrote to you. Annita visited us for a week and persuaded Manolis to take her over to Spinalonga. She said she didn’t go ashore. Yannis waved to her. She was very quiet for a few days, then just as she was leaving, she told Mamma and Pappa she was getting married and going to America.’
‘What!’ Father Minos could not believe his ears. ‘I haven’t received your letter.’
‘It’s true. I had a job to believe it myself. Two weeks ago we all went to Athens and she had a splendid wedding.’
‘Who did she marry?’
‘She’s been working with a microbiologist who is researching into leprosy. He’s been given a scholarship in America. That’s why I don’t want to ask Pappa for an allowance. He gave Annita a good dowry, paid for us all to go to her wedding and paid my keep whilst I was a novice. He and Mamma have also mentioned going to America.’
Again Father Minos raised his eyebrows. ‘For a holiday?’
‘No, to live, once Annita is settled. I think they hope she will have children and they don’t want to miss them.’
‘What about you? Would you plan to join them?’
Andreas shook his head. ‘I could never leave Crete. It’s my home. This is why I’d like to accept your offer. I’m sure my parents would be happier to know I was settled. They must be free to leave if they wish.’
‘I’m not offering you a fortune.’ Father Minos smiled. ‘There’s my small house, and a large, poor parish. You’ll suffer from lack of sleep, and always want more hours in the day and an extra day in every week. I live fairly simply and find the income sufficient.’
‘May I talk it over with my Bishop and my parents and let you know tomorrow?’
‘Talk it over by all means, but I can’t wait until tomorrow to hear your answer. I have to return by the bus that leaves this afternoon.’
‘Do you have anyone else in mind?’ Andreas could suddenly see the opportunity slipping away from him.
‘No. You were my only thought. Let me know what you decide.’
Andreas knocked vigorously on the door, a broad grin on his face. ‘Is Father Minos here, please?’ he asked of the housekeeper.
She shook her head. ‘You’ve missed him. He left for the hospital a while back.’
‘May I leave my things? He’s expecting me. I’ll go to the hospital and find him there.’ Andreas placed his bundles in the hall and raised his hand to her. ‘I know where it is. I’ll be back later.’
He found Father Minos sitting beside the bed of an elderly man, listening to the tirade that poured forth against the government who had finally found him hiding in a cave and removed him forcibly to hospital. Andreas waited until the man lay back against his pillow, worn out by the strength of his emotions.
‘You must not be bitter. In here you will be looked after. Imagine how you would have suffered had your wife fallen ill and been unable to bring you food. Relax, my friend. I’ll visit you again next week and I’m sure by then you’ll consider yourself fortunate.’
‘Father.’
The priest turned. ‘Andreas! It’s good to see you. Why didn’t you write?’
‘I decided it would be quicker to come in person. I’ve left my belongings at your house.’
‘You’re coming?’ Father Minos seized him in a fervent embrace. ‘I’m so happy, so very happy. What did your parents say?’
‘They were pleased, relieved almost. They feel they’re free now to make whatever plans they wish.’
‘And your Bishop?’
‘He was very kind. He gave me his blessing and said I’d be welcome to go back if I changed my mind.’
‘Come and meet the patients.’ Father Minos remembered his reason for being at the hospital. ‘We can talk later.’ He led the way from bed to bed, introducing Andreas and explaining that the young man would be visiting whilst he took a holiday. Andreas looked at him questioningly.
‘It’s better if I say that,’ he explained. ‘There’ll be no premature goodbyes and if the Bishop refuses me permission we neither of us lose face.’
Andreas tried to take in all the details of each person they spoke to. He sympathised with those who complained of pain, promised to take messages to families and joined Father Minos in the communal prayer. Once outside he took a deep breath.
‘I feel I’ve been more useful this afternoon than I have for the last six months. They’re all so lonely and worried.’
Father Minos nodded understandingly. ‘Have any of them asked you to take messages to their families?’
‘A couple.’
‘We’ll do that tomorrow. I always try very hard not to let others know who are in the hospital. If I visit a dozen parishioners tomorrow two or three of them will have relatives in here, but no one can point the finger.’
‘I have a lot to learn,’ Andreas admitted. ‘I would have gone rushing straight off. You’ll have to show me your way of doing things so I don’t offend people.’
Father Minos smiled indulgently. ‘I’m sure you won’t offend. I’ll show you my way, but I’m sure you’ll want to make changes.’
Andreas followed the priest as he led the way around his parish, pointing out various landmarks that could be used as boundaries.
‘Never refuse a supplicant, wherever they may be from, but never knowingly encroach on another’s parish. Remember, the size of your congregation makes a difference to your life style. You wouldn’t want someone to entice half your parish away or you would end up starving.’
‘I’ll remember that. Will your housekeeper stay with me? You’ll have to tell me how much to pay her. I’ve never had anything like that to do before.’
‘Don’t worry. I doubt if I’ll be able to get another audience with the Bishop for months. By then you’ll know everything there is to know about living in this town.’
To Father Minos’s surprise his request for a further audience was granted more quickly than he had envisaged. Within a month he and Andreas stood waiting to be admitted. They approached the door together, but only Father Minos was allowed to enter.’
‘My son, I understand you have come to repeat your former request.’
‘Yes, your Lordship.’
‘The young man you propose is fully ordained?’
‘Yes, your Lordship.’
‘Why do you consider him suitable as your successor?’
‘He is young and has enthusiasm and energy. He is devoted to his calling, sympathetic to others and has a maturity beyond his years.’
The Bishop nodded. ‘Why doesn’t he want to go to Spinalonga? I understand he has visited the island with you.’
Father Minos realised that whatever information he gave about Andreas the Bishop would already know, having investigated him thoroughly.
‘His cousin is on the island. Although he is in sympathy with them he feels that such a relationship in the community could cause problems. He also feels that he does not have the experience for such an undertaking.’
‘Yet he feels capable in taking over from you?’
Father Minos thought rapidly. ‘He knows he has other priests around whom he could consult should a problem arise.’
‘And who will you consult if a problem arises?’
‘I would apply to you, your Lordship.’
The Bishop shook his head. ‘I have had a letter from the government. They are in favour of you going to the island and staying there. Once you are committed to living with the lepers you will be subject to the same restrictions.’
‘You mean – for life?’
The Bishop nodded slowly. ‘Have you really thought this through? Had you imagined you would be able to take a holiday whenever you wished? Visit friends? Come to me to solve a problem? You have to understand that if I grant this request it will be more like a sentence than a favour. There will be no way you can ever return.’
Father Minos stood in an agony of indecision. He knew that if he failed in his resolve now it was most unlikely he would be given another opportunity, yet to be on the island forever. Was he strong enough to carry that burden?
‘I understand, your Lordship. It is still my wish to be permitted to live on Spinalonga.’
The Bishop smiled and Father Minos realised the interview was at an end. He returned to the vestibule whilst Andreas took his place in the audience chamber. The waiting seemed interminable until he was finally recalled, his heart thumping loudly beneath his cassock as he bent his knees and kissed the Bishop’s hand.
‘I have decided this young man should be given a chance to prove himself. If he does not fulfil the promise he has shown to you or fails in his duty then I will have no choice but to replace him. That would not mean that you would be recalled. If you are still determined to take this course then you are taking a further vow which will bind you for the rest of your life.’
‘I could ask for nothing more,’ Father Minos’s voice was husky with emotion.
‘Then provided you fully understand the commitment you have made, you have my blessing. May God keep you safe and healthy.’
Again Father Minos kissed the Bishop’s hand and Andreas followed his example. Once outside Father Minos led the way to the nearest taverna.
‘This calls for a glass of wine to steady my nerves. I never thought he would agree.’
‘Nor I! The questions he asked me! He wanted to know why I didn’t want to live on the island to be with my cousin.’
‘What did you say?’
‘That I didn’t have the experience that you did in dealing with people. I thought I’d said the wrong thing. He looked at me with those beady little eyes of his and asked if I had so little experience of life how did I possibly think I could cope with a parish.’
Father Minos sucked in his breath. ‘That was a mistake.’
‘I managed to extricate myself. I said I had plenty of experience of life and dealing with people, but that I didn’t have enough experience to be isolated on an island.’
‘He accepted that?’
Andreas nodded. ‘I think he had already made up his mind to let you go. The interview was just a formality.’
‘Maybe. Just be very careful if he sends for you again to ask after your progress. If you go in full of confidence he’ll probably confront you with mistakes and failures you’d not even noticed, and if you go in hesitantly he’ll ask when you’re going to mature and grow in confidence. You have to tread very warily when dealing with a Bishop.’