A Bishop of Rome

By John Grant

Change is a constant. You can depend on it. What that change is matters less than how you adapt to it. Change has happened to Paul's world and he is having to adapt. While he's coping with his own adaptation, as the new Bishop of Rome, he must also provide spiritual and emotional support to the members of his congregation and the community as a whole. Paul has a unique ability to think outside the box and his ability has not escaped the notice of some very influential people. Oblivious to the eyes that watch him, he continues doing his thing the best way he knows how. As is the nature of change, it continues to happen without warning, and because of Paul's resilience he takes it all in stride.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Grant
• Release date: Feb 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463171455

John Grant

John Grant is author of about seventy books, including the highly successful Discarded Science, Corrupted Science, and Denying Science. He has received two Hugo Awards, the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, and a number of other international literary awards.

Book preview

A Bishop of Rome

By John Grant

Dedicated to the memory of my maternal Grandmother, Ethel Agatha (Mc Devitt) Powell, a life-long devout Catholic.

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Selected: The Oracle Chronicles (Fiction)

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The White Tower Series, the Boghy man trilogy (Fiction)

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Book One: Gone but not forgotten eBook | Paperback

Book Two: The Boghyman strikes again eBook | Paperback

Book Three: Too close to home eBook | Paperback

Never Give Up! Recovery is a life sentence

:A guide to dignified stroke recovery

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Coming soon:

Four Frogs Named Bob (children’s fiction)

Sammy the Sinker Gets Lost (children’s fiction)

Sammy the Sinker Saves the Day (children’s fiction)

Farty the Lion (children’s fiction)

Disclaimers: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The contents of this book have neither been authorized, nor approved, by any religious body.

Chapter 1

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Q: Are Catholics now required to allow Mormon Missionaries into their homes?

A: There is no requirement, however, if missionaries from the Saints in the Latter-days flock knock on you’re the door of a member of the Catholic flock, the member should be friendly and respectful. However they can politely decline, if they are not interested. We hope that you will afford the same courtesy to anyone with an earnest desire to share their religious beliefs with you.

http://www.onefold/catholic/Unification/Q&A

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Paul sat on the couch in his Livingroom, when, in a loud voice, he said, Can you bring me a cold one? Moments later, his wife, Tiffany, entered the room carrying a bottle of Dr. Pepper.

You’re going to get diabetes, drinkin so much soda. She bemoaned as she handed him the bottle.

I just had my bloodwork done and the doctor said my sugar levels are normal.

"Okay, I’ll remind you that you said that, when I have to haul your sorry butt to dialysis three times a week.

I’m sure you will. After all that’s what a wife is for. Speaking of what a wife is for, I had that dream again. Her expression went from irritated to exasperated.

Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she said, Oh here we go again. I am not havin another child, Paul. I am too old to be chasin a toddler around and you’ve got one foot in the grave.

I do not have diabetes! He threw his arms up in the air.

"Regardless, I won’t have another child, no matter how many times you dream about a little girl. I’m warnin you, if you even think about gettin me pregnant, I’ll castrate you.

Okay, okay, let’s not get carried away, but I know the boys would love a little sister.

Fine, we’ll get ‘em a dog.

Not the same thing, and you know it.

What I know is that a dog comes on a leash, not an umbilical cord and without 40 weeks of nausea. She stood and crossed the room.

Tiffany, there must be some reason I keep havin this dream.

Of course there is, you’re baby hungry and you don’t have to deal with the consequences of pregnancy. If you had ever spent one hour in labor, you’d be referrin to these dreams as nightmares. End of discussion. She turned and shouted up the stairs, Boys, it’s almost time for conference. Come to the livin room!

Moments later, three boys between seven and twelve came rumbling down the stairs, sounding like a herd of wild animals. They pushed and shoved, jockeying for a place on the couch with their father. Okay, boys, settle down, it’s time to start bein reverent. Paul said sternly.

I can’t be reverent, dad, Tony won’t move his hand, so that I can sit down. Said the youngest of the three.

Tony, move your hand, so that your little brother can sit down. Finally, with everyone seated quietly, he reached for the remote. When the television came on, they were greeted by a clock counting down the seconds until General Conference would start. When the time finally arrived, they could see that the prophet, his counselors and the twelve were already seated. One of the men stood and approached the podium, which was surrounded by spring time flowers.

We welcome you all to the two hundred and twenty-first annual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. President Frederick P. Kimball presides at this session of conference, and has asked me, President Ranson, to conduct. This session of conference is being broadcast by television and the internet to members of the church and others all over the world and by satellite to meeting houses and Stake Centers across the globe. We are honored by the presence of dignitary’s and guests, who are in attendance at this session of conference. Music for this session will be provided by the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square. The choir will now sing, Master, the Tempest is Raging, after which Bishop Terrell P. Clement, Presiding Bishop of the church will offer the invocation. President Ranson turned and walked back to his seat. Following the hymn and the prayer he returned to the podium. It will now be our great pleasure to be addressed by Frederick P. Kimball, President of the church., President? President Ranson returned to his seat again and another man stood and walked at a measured pace to the podium.

It is with a glad heart that I welcome each of you to this Saturday session of conference. The prophet began. This conference is being broadcast by satellite around the world, and our audience for this session is larger than it has ever been. We are honored by the presence of dignitaries from across the globe; especially His Holiness, Pope Gideon Francis, the Catholic Bishop of Rome. His Holiness has asked to address this assemblage following my remarks, and we have enthusiastically consented. What you are witnessing today is a historic moment that will forever change the way the world views Christianity. During his earthly ministry, and just preceding his death, our savior Jesus Christ told his Apostles, Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring. For some time now, I and The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have been in close conversation with His Holiness and the Sacred College of Cardinals. The topic of our discussions has been the re-unification of Christ’s church."

This comes as a complete surprise to most of you, he continued, and many of you are likely bewildered by what implications this may have. I encourage you to hold fast to your faith in Jesus Christ and your confidence in your church leaders, and we will guide you through this transition with love and understanding. Before we get ahead of ourselves, it should be made clear that this is not the end of either the Catholicism or Mormonism. With the Savior’s words to guide us, we will proceed with the understanding that the Catholic Church and the Latter-day Saint Church each constitute a flock under the Lord’s Fold. In large part each flock will continue to operate as it has. In keeping with our goal of reunification there will of course be certain changes. As with every major cultural shift, the current generation will have the hardest time accepting these changes, but we reiterate that we will guide you forward with love and understanding.

After a brief pause and after clearing his throat, he added. "From the LDS perspective, and in recognition of the references in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon to wine in the context of the sacrament, we will immediately begin offering sacramental wine, as used by