Precisely when the solemn ceremony receiving the renegade Episcopal priest Father George Wheatleyy into the Roman Catholic priesthood is det to begin, a bomb explodes, und the altar. Fortunately Farther Wheatley arrives late, but poor old Father Farmer dies in the tragedy. Father Wheatley's switch to the Catholic church has certirred up murderous passions in the parish. His son and daughter-one alreadyan episcopal priest, the other study to become one-are seething. Conservative Catholics are enraged by the ver idea of a married priest. As blind prejudice, jealousy, and thwarted ambition swirl around St. Joseph's, Father Koesler mediatates on one question: who placed the phone call that made him late for his own murder?
Father George Wheatley, an Episcopal priest of some renown, has undertaken to convert to Roman Catholicism. That decision has caused great consternation in Wheatley's family as well as shock in the Episcopal and Roman communities. In addition to continuing to flog the changes wrought by Vatican II, the author explores such issues as the differences and similarities between Anglicans, Episcopalians and Romans (all of whom consider themselves Catholics), and whether Catholic priests should be permitted to marry and women allowed to become priests. Sharing center stage, and danger, with Wheatley are Father Koesler, who has befriended him during his conversion, and Father Zachary Tully, whose church will be the site of Wheatley's ordination. Plenty of folk are opposed to Wheatley's ordination, including his (Episcopal) priest son, Ron; his seminarian daughter, Alice; and various lay and clerical Roman Catholics who see Wheatley's conversion as one more assault on their venerable church. When a murderer strikes before the ordination can take place, Koesler and the police must scramble to unmask someone willing to kill for his or her beliefs.
Father Koesler accompanies his friend Father Wheatley through his conversion from Anglican to Roman Catholic priest and to seek resolution of a crime. Good book
