The pronunciamento of the Papal Nuncio from the Cathedral of St. Andrews no doubt had been heard by all, he said. He himself had listened to it sadly. But as senior bishop and Primate of this realm, it was his simple duty to advise his flock on the situation. He had consulted with other bishops, and now made declaration that, while he, and the whole Scottish Church, was in most filial obedience to the Holy See in all things, there was, at this present time, some dispute as to the position and validity of its present incumbent.
His Eminence the former Monsignor Jacques dElise, hitherto Archbishop of Avignon, and these past three years styled Pope John the Twenty-second.
After a sort of corporate gasp, not a sound was heard from that huge company, every eye fixed in an apprehensive fascination on the bent wreck of a man up there beside the High Altar.
The dispute was on two grounds, Lamberton proceeded. One, that being forced by French might to dwell in Avignon, not in Rome, the said John was indeed under the pressure and influence of the King of France, who at this time was in alliance with the King of England. And so unable properly to exercise due rule and justice within Holy Church. And two, that he had himself been declared heretic by certain authorities for maintaining the doctrine that the blessed do not in fact enjoy the vision of God until their resurrection, contrary to the teachings of the fathers. Until these doubts and disputes were resolved therefore, he personally, William, Primate of Scotland, could not accept any sentences of excommunication, or other assaults upon his spiritual authority, not specifically promulgated by the College of Cardinals in full consistory court-which he learned from the Papal Nuncio aforementioned had not been done.
The long sigh of breath exhaled was like a wind over a heather
hillside, as the company perceived relief, remission, at least a
temporary lifting of the dark shadow which had come to loom over their lives.
It was inconceivable, in the circumstances, that church government and
worship of God should be allowed to break down, Lamberton rasped, at
his sternest. In consequence he required all bishops, priests and
deacons, all abbots, priors, friars and monks, all who owed obedience
to himself in this Province of Holy Church in Scotland, to continue
steadfast in their said offices, to perform their full duties, and to
ignore all utterances and commands from other ecclesiastical
authorities than himself. On his head, heart and conscience, rested the full responsibility. And so, let all go forth, in Gods peace, from that place.
They all went forth indeed, but hardly in Gods peace.
That night, after the feasting at Dundee, Bruce, Elizabeth and the
Primate sat together alone in the abbots study of the vast Abbey of
Arbroath, over a well-doing fire of logs, grateful for the warmth after
the long ride in the face of a chill wind off the North Sea. They
waited while Abbot Bernard went to fetch the papers of his draft of the
projected letter to the Pope. It was their first opportunity for
private talk that day. How dear did that announcement in St. Marys
cost you this day, old friend? the King asked.
It was as brave a deed as any I have known. Braver than any done on a field of battle. To take upon yourself, your own shoulders, the entire burden of this rejection of the Popes commands and anathema. To accept the responsibility for a whole nations disobedience to the Holy See, to the head of the Church you represent This was truly great, truly noble William. I know of no other who would have dared it.
Noble is scarce the word I would use, Robert my liege, Lamberton said, shaking his grey head.
What I did was expedient, lacking in scruple, cynical, maybe. But not noble.
Yet you perhaps jeopardised your own soul to do it. For the nation.
That is, if you believe what you profess.
Aye-and theres the rub! Do I, William Lamberton, believe what I profess? Sometimes, I confess to you, my friends, I do wonder! I fear that I have become but a wavering leader of this flock.
Wavering? After today? I would I had more such waverers!
Wavering in what I believe, and should teach others, Robert Which is no state for a bishop to be in. The older I grow, I find, the less of accepted doctrine I truly respect. Save for the faith of Christ crucified. And the all-embracing love of God.
Is that not enough? Elizabeth asked quietly.
For you, perhaps. For most. But-for me? For the Primate?
The foremost representative of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, in this land? The fount of doctrine, the source of dogma? I would not have our nuncio, or indeed any priest anywhere, to hear me say it!
Perhaps you do not altogether accept the doctrine of a papal
infallibility! Bruce observed gravely.
Even if the said Pope is truly Pope.
The other looked into the fire, as gravely.
Would my liege lord have me to burn as an heretic? To deny so essential, so vital, a doctrine!
Deny nothing, then. But… I think you do not indeed consider that you have placed your immortal soul in jeopardy, by this days work?
My soul, I fear, has been in jeopardy all my days! For my many sins. But such faith as I cling to assures me that Christs sacrifice and Gods infinity mercy are sufficient to save it, nevertheless.
Lamberton raised his head.
But, see you-this of the Popes position.
I but prevaricated, quibbled, there at Dundee. God forgive me. This
Pope is truly Pope-of that there is no real doubt. His residence at
Avignon is by his own choice, not by force majeure. Even though the
Curia does not like it. And he is said now to be much less hot on his
doctrine of resurrected bliss. Moreover, such would not invalidate his
appointment, whatever Philip de Valois may say. No-I but used
subterfuge, used these things to gain time, to soothe anxieties, to
enable the rule and charge of the Church in this land to continue. To
have accepted the papal ban would have meant the breakdown, not only of
the Church, but of all Christs work, in Scotland. Therefore I did
what I did. But there is no substance in my doubts as to His
Holinesss authority -as many of the clergy at least must know. And the College of Cardinals will endorse Pope Johns anathema-nothing is more sure. Unless we can change their minds. And his. We have but gained a breathing space.
A costly breathing space for you, William-which we must use to good advantage. This of the letter-de Lintons letter. The declaration, from all the realm. You think well of it?
Well, indeed-very well. So be it that it says the right things.
And is signed by the right people.
The right people? Not all the people? That is, the people who have any rule and authority in the realm?
That as a principle, yes. But in fact we must be careful. To give His Holiness no excuse to ignore it. By including signatures which he must reject.
Must reject?
Must, yes. He may have no relations with an excommunicate.
Therefore excommunicates signature on such letter could be held to invalidate it, I fear. He has, in a fashion, excommunicated the entire nation. But that is different, a mere form. Those who have been excommunicated by name-these should not sign. Your royal self. Myself. The Bishops of Moray and Dunkeld and Aberdeen.