The Last Day

“We don't know the specifics of the address,” Sullivan clarified, “other than it concerns the Jeza situation, naturally.”

“The Vatican says it's going to be a major papal announcement,” Bollinger added, “an ex capita decree, whatever that is.”

“You mean ex cathedra,” Erin Cross corrected him, suppressing a smile. “And that is a major papal announcement.”

“Right,” Sullivan laughed. “Erin, as our expert on religious affairs, perhaps you wouldn't mind enlightening Jon and Breck a little on the subject?”

“Of course,” she agreed pleasantly. “Ex cathedra is Latin for ‘from the chair.’ It's a unique designation given to the most sacred pronouncements of the Catholic Church. Ex cathedra, which can only be invoked by the pope, is extremely rare, employed solely for issues of faith and morals. When the pope speaks ex cathedra, he's speaking from his papal throne, with complete infallibility.”

“Infallibility?” Hunter arched his eyebrows.

“Yes,” Erin elaborated. “A pronouncement from the throne of Saint Peter in an ex cathedra capacity carries divine authority. The pope's decision has the same binding effect on the faithful as if Christ Himself were speaking. All Catholics are required, on faith alone, to fully accept and follow the ruling, whatever it might be.”

“You mean,” Hunter questioned, screwing up his broad face in disbelief, “if the pope says that, uh,” and he searched around for an example, finally seizing upon Robert Filson, literally, by the lapel, “if the pope decides that Filson here is God, then all the billion-odd Catholics in the world have to bow down to him?”

Everyone got a laugh out of this except for Filson, who was visibly miffed.

“Well,” Erin explained, “the pope's not going to make an ex cathedra ruling on something as theologically spurious as that.” Hunter released Filson, who unruffled his suit coat and glowered haplessly at the much larger videographer. Hunter paid no notice and Erin continued. “Ex cathedra is only invoked for serious religious purposes. In fact, I don't think there's even been an ex cathedra decree in my lifetime.”

“Excellent, Erin,” Sullivan commended her. “Everyone, this is precisely the sort of background material I want refined into a feature story to preface Monday night's program. Jon, you and Erin will be on loan to WNN Europe working as co-hosts for the program. You'll fly back Monday morning.”

“What about Breck?” Feldman questioned.

“Sorry, Breck.” Sullivan turned to the clearly disappointed cameraman. “WNN Europe will be using their local crews since it's a simple set production.” Hunter accepted this with a shrug of his big shoulders.

“Okay.” Sullivan got down to business. “Let's collect our thinking and see what approaches we want to take in the coverage. Jon, how'd you feel about letting Erin handle the ex cathedra history and you take the wrap-up interview with the cardinal?”

“Sure,” Feldman agreed, conceding the logic of the decision.

Erin reached across the table and gave Feldman's hand an appreciative squeeze. Feldman acknowledged this with the briefest flash of uncomfortable smile as Sullivan proceeded to engage the group in a discussion of strategies and research plans. This was all conducted without benefit of Cissy, who sat back in her chair, curled up and withdrawn in a huff.

The circle deliberated briefly over a suitable format for Erin's history lesson, and then moved on to structure Feldman's interview. This subject, however, required some speculation regarding the content of the pope's address.

“All right,” Sullivan tossed out, “I have my own suspicions, but what do the rest of you think the Vatican's up to with this ex cathedra business?”

“That's not too hard,” Hunter snorted. “It's payback time. They're gonna do a number on Jeza and order all their Catholic followers to dump her, right?”

There was collective agreement around the table.

Particularly from Feldman, whose mind had been traveling this very route. “The Catholic Church has no choice,” he said, reinforcing the consensus. “Their survival depends on successfully discrediting Jeza. They're going to take their best shot, and I'm afraid it could lead to a lot more world turmoil and violence.”

“If that's what we anticipate the Vatican's position will be,” Sullivan advanced, “I'd suggest, in the interest of balanced reporting, that we be prepared to follow up the pope's address with a critique. Assuming the Church will be leaning heavily on biblical scripture to debunk Jeza, this may be another area in which we need Erin's expertise.”

Cissy rocked forward in her chair to reenter the circle. “We're going to lose the audience with all these dry recitals!” she protested. “We need to put the emphasis on Jon's interview with di Concerci. The cardinal is where the action is. He's hot media. Everyone's going to want to hear from the guy who took on Jeza twice and got his ass kicked both times. Besides, Jon can critique the pope's speech with his questions of di Concerci.”

A volley of arguing ensued and Feldman held up his hands to impress a point. “As much as I'd like to carry the ball on this one, we've got to be realistic about what we're up against here. No doubt, the sole purpose of this proposed interview is to put a positive spin on the pope's speech. It's a manipulation game. The Vatican's sending in their heavy hitter to deflect any criticisms we toss at them. And I’ m certainly no match for a cardinal prefect of the Holy See. I can't go toe-to-toe with him in scriptural matters. And with all due respect to you, Erin”-he locked eyes with WNN's expert on religious affairs-”I'm not sure you want that assignment either.”

Erin's brow wrinkled at this and she pursed her tips, no doubt contemplating the thought of being humbled in the glare of international TV.

Cissy countered, “Then let's level the playing field and give the world a real show. Let's bring in a strong counterpoint person to neutralize di Concerci. Jon can act as referee and provoke some high-charged debate.”

This gave everyone pause.

“I like it, Cissy,” Sullivan mused. “Who do you have in mind?”

“I don't know just yet”-she backpedaled for a second-“but there are certainly plenty of good candidates out there. I'm sure we'll get someone qualified. If only we could find Cardinal Litti.”

Bollinger was cautious. “We don't have much time, guys. And just any pro-Jeza millenarian won't do. We need a really first-class opponent.”

“A real biblical scholar,” Sullivan added. “Someone highly regarded. And assuming we do find such a candidate, we'll need to be subtle in how we work him or her into the program. We don't want the Vatican to become suspicious and quash our plans.

“irrespective,” Sullivan concluded with a presumptuous smile, “I suspect Monday night at the Vatican should prove yet another ratings triumph for WNN.”

92

WNN regional headquarters, Cairo, Egypt9:12 A.M., Thursday, March 30, 2000

Feldman sat in his office, staring at a phone message from Anke dated the day before. “Please call as soon as possible, “ it read. He knew full well he was long overdue in providing the very tolerant lady with some sort of explanation. Only he had none yet.

An appreciated diversion, Cissy came strolling into Feldman's office with a self-satisfied grin on her freckled face and plopped down triumphantly on the cluttered couch. Feldman looked up from the note, questioningly.

“I did it!” she exclaimed.

“You did what?”

“I found him! The perfect antithesis to di Concerci.”

“You found Cardinal Litti!” Feldman's heart jumped.

“No,” Cissy responded, momentarily annoyed. “Rabbi Mordachai Hirschberg.”

Feldman searched his memory in vain.