The Cardinal and the Crook

There was another very long silence before Frank responded. “Father Pat, it’s obvious that you have very deep feelings for these two infants, but I’m not convinced that you fully realize the challenges in raising these children.” Father Pat opened his mouth to reply, but Frank only kept going. “Outside of that, there are legal matters to concern ourselves with. I’m not sure your bishop would allow you to take on such a responsibility, and even if he did, I’m not certain that I can get the folks in Boston to sign off on this arrangement.”

Father Pat was on a mission, however, and he was fully prepared to handle any objection.

In his peripheral vision, he saw Sisters Dorothea and Annette glance at each other, each of them nodding their quiet approval. Fortified by their support, Father Pat looked his friend in the eye and calmly said, “Frank, no parent—biological or adoptive—fully appreciates all of the challenges in raising children beforehand. It would be great if children came with instructions, but they don’t, and I’m sure that I will make mistakes along the way. But I’ll learn from these mistakes, just as I’ve always learned and adapted in the past. I’ll also have some very watchful eyes keeping me in check. The most important part of being a parent will be unconditional love and trusting that God will guide me.