Death Comes for the Archbishop · Chapter
Prologue explained
In Rome, 1848, Cardinal María de Allande hosts a dinner with Bishop Ferrand and a Venetian Cardinal.
What happens
In Rome, 1848, Cardinal María de Allande hosts a dinner with Bishop Ferrand and a Venetian Cardinal. Bishop Ferrand passionately argues for the appointment of a young, intelligent French priest, Jean Marie Latour, as the new Vicar Apostolic of New Mexico, describing the territory's vastness, the decay of its missions, and the need for reform. The Cardinal shares a story about a Franciscan missionary who took a valuable El Greco painting from his family, and the conversation touches on art, politics, and the qualities of French missionaries.
Themes in this chapter
Mission and Sacrifice
Bishop Ferrand emphasizes the sacrifices required of a missionary in New Mexico, including dried buffalo meat, water scarcity, and the risk of martyrdom.
Cultural Clash and Harmony
The discussion contrasts European refinement (art, wine, opera) with the harsh, 'savage' realities of the American frontier, and the need to bring order to a neglected Catholic region.
Art and Beauty
The Cardinal's story about the El Greco painting highlights the tension between artistic value and missionary utility, and the question of whether a priest needs an appreciation for art.
Characters to notice
- Bishop Jean Marie Latour
Mentioned as the candidate for the new Vicar Apostolic of New Mexico; a young, intelligent French priest from Auvergne, currently a parish priest on Lake Ontario.
- Bishop Ferrand
The missionary from the Great Lakes region who advocates for Latour's appointment; describes the harsh conditions of New Mexico and the need for a strong leader.
- García María de Allande
The host Cardinal in Rome; shares a story about a Franciscan missionary who took a valuable El Greco painting from his family's collection.
- Father Joseph Vaillant
Not directly mentioned in this chapter.
Key passages
“You refuse me this picture because it is a good picture. It is too good for God, but it is not too good for you.”
The Franciscan missionary accused the Cardinal's grandfather of selfishness, claiming he denied the painting to God's service while keeping it for his own enjoyment.
This quote illustrates the missionary's boldness and the theme of art versus religious utility.
“Oh, the Germans classify, but the French arrange! The French missionaries have a sense of proportion and rational adjustment. They are always trying to discover the logical relation of things. It is a passion with them.”
The Cardinal praises French missionaries for their organizational skills and rational approach, contrasting them with German missionaries who merely categorize.
This highlights the perceived superiority of French missionaries in organizing the Church in new territories.
“That country will drink up his youth and strength as it does the rain. He will be called upon for every sacrifice, quite possibly for martyrdom.”
Bishop Ferrand warns that the harsh New Mexico landscape will consume the vitality of any missionary, demanding total sacrifice and even death.
This underscores the theme of mission and sacrifice, and the daunting challenge facing the new Vicar.