The Bishop - Chapter Five: Maddie and Tony
Chapter Five: Maddie and Tony
“Honestly, Tony, how am I supposed to fill his shoes? What was he thinking, appointing me to his old parish? Do you know he told her that he would never leave Hampton's Corners?”
“Told who?”
“Lillian. And she repeated that to everyone! And when he left, she was broken-hearted…they were all broken-hearted. They loved him, Tony. He was the perfect frigging priest.”
Of course, Mr. Perkins wasn't the “perfect frigging priest”, as those of us who have followed his course at Hampton's Corners over the years know all too well. His relationship with these people had been forged through many hardships, snares, and toils. He had known many trials, and his years with them had not always been easy ones. Yet, he was faithful and had journeyed with them from the font to the graveside. He had baptized their children and buried their dead. He had officiated at their weddings and consoled them through marital breakdowns. He had celebrated achievements with them and mourned tragedy with them. Any priest knows that ministry happens in this way; that this is how pastoral relationships form and grow. With any luck, when all is said and done, a half-decent priest can look back on his or her ministry and breathe out a sigh of relief as the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” wash over them. Not every ministry is a successful one. There are as many failures as there are successes, but on the whole, Mr. Perkins' ministry at Hampton's Corners had been a successful one, indeed.
“Always follow a failure,” Tony said.
“Ha!” she exclaimed, and then sighed, “That’s what Archdeacon Fulman always used to say.” This was one of the bits of pithy wisdom her old mentor was fond of doling out. “Always follow a failure,” she recalled his words, “…then even if you do just a half-decent job, or put in half an effort, they will love you.”
Tony smiled and Maddie continued, “You know, Tony, that man was so wise. I never really appreciated him.”
“That's not true, Maddie...you tried to get him elected bishop for heaven's sake!”
“Yes, and he would have been a good bishop, too. Damned good. But oh, how I used to give him a hard time, challenge him, harass him, talk back to him.”
“And he loved you for it.” Tony and the Archdeacon were old friends and he used to sing Maddie's praises to Tony over their weekly lunch meetings. “He loved that about you, and they are the things that make you you. And honestly, from where I sit, they are the things that make you a good priest, a fine priest. You are not like Archdeacon Fulman, or even Bishop Perkins. Both of them are gentle spirits, and, well, they are men. They can afford to be gentle spirits. You know as well as I do, it's not the same for women in ministry. You are forced to show a kind of strength and resolve that male clergy need not demonstrate. The old women, the old men...you have to prove yourself to them, to everyone, before they accept you. A young male priest walks into a parish and people fall all over themselves to ingratiate themselves to him and win his favour. A young woman walks in and she must prove herself. It's not fair, but it's true. But here's what's also true, Maddie: You have what it takes. You are not the Archdeacon, or Bishop Perkins, nor should you be. You have something that neither of them have - an inner strength...a fire…” He paused and looked at her directly for a moment. She was strong and powerful. “People are frightened by ‘strong and powerful’, Maddie - your strength and power frighten them. Your youth and confidence frighten them. You are completely put together. You are formidable. You are a force. Do you understand?”
“But how can I care for them when they are frightened of me? And how can I use my strength when they are used to being coddled by that Teddy Bear of a bishop we have now?”
“You can't care for them the way he did. You're not him…and perhaps, just perhaps, they need something - someone - very different at this point in time. Maybe the people of Hampton's Corners need a ferocious advocate for a change. Maybe they need someone strong and powerful who will encourage them, and support them, and get them out from under Judy's thumb. Who can teach them to stand up to her. You can mentor them in that. You can fight for them and with them. They need you, Maddie. Perkins has had his day. This is your day.”
Maddie took his hand and squeezed it as she looked away.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Don't think that you are not up to this, Maddie…” He squeezed her hand back and she turned to face him. “I know you are. Time. That's what's needed. All relationships take time. I think there are more than a few there who are already fond of you and appreciate you for what you bring. There are those who do respect you. Think of those old guys calling you ‘Miss Maddie’ - now that's a term of affection if ever I heard one, and of respect, too. You may never get either from Judy, but bit by bit, you will get it from others. Let them see you, who you are, what you can offer that Perkins could not. You're just about the bravest person I know. If anyone in this diocese can handle Judy Jumblejump, it's you. I think that perhaps, Bishop Perkins knows that, too.”
She squeezed his hand again.
“Thank you, Tony. Thank you for seeing me, for believing in me.”
“Believe in yourself,” he said, “You are a fine priest. These people need you now more than ever. The Archdeacon wasn't always right, you know. It's easy to follow a failure. Sure, that's true...but it takes an excellent priest to follow a good priest. That's why Bishop Perkins sent you to Hampton's Corners. He believes in you, too.”
“Hmmm,” she sighed, “Well, I guess I'd better go back and be this priest of which you speak…” and they both gave a little chuckle.
“Yes, you had better.
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