Поющие в терновнике

           EventheHolyFather,whoisthemosthumbleandhumanofusall."

           "Ibrokemyvows,YourEminence.Thatisn’teasilyforgiven.It’ssacrilege."

           "Povertyyoubrokeyearsago,whenyouacceptedthebequestofMrs.MaryCarson.Whichleaveschastityandobedience,doesitnot?"

           "Thenallthreewerebroken,YourEminence."

           "IwishyouwouldcallmeVittorio,asyouusedto!Iamnotshocked,Ralph,nordisappointed.ItisasOurLordJesusChristwills,andIthinkperhapsyouhadagreatlessontolearnwhichcouldnotbelearnedinanywaylessdestructive.Godismysterious,Hisreasonsbeyondourpoorcomprehension.ButIthinkwhatyoudidwasnotdonelightly,yourvowsthrownawayashavingnovalue.Iknowyouverywell.Iknowyoutobeproud,verymuchinlovewiththeideaofbeingapriest,veryconsciousofyourexclusiveness.Itispossiblethatyouneededthisparticularlessontoreducethatpride,makeyouunderstandthatyouarefirstaman,andthereforenotasexclusiveasyouthink.Isitnotso?"

           "Yes.Ilackedhumility,andIbelieveinawayIaspiredtobeGodHimself.I’vesinnedmostgrievouslyandinexcusably.Ican’tforgivemyself,sohowcanIhopefordivineforgiveness?"

           "Thepride,Ralph,thepride!Itisnotyourplacetoforgive,doyounotunderstandthatyet?OnlyGodcanforgive.OnlyGod!AndHewillforgiveifthesincererepentanceisthere.Hehasforgivengreatersinsfromfargreatersaints,youknow,aswellasfromfargreatervillains.