“Father,” Chartrand said, “may I ask you a strange question?”The camerlegno smiled. “Only if I may give you a strange answer.”Chartrand laughed. “I have asked every priest I know, and I still don’t understand.””What troubles you?” The camerlegno led the way in short, quick strides, his frock kicking out in front of him as he walked. His black, crepe-sole shoes seemed befitting, Chartrand thought, like reflections of the man’s essence… modern but humble, and showing signs of wear.Chartrand took a deep breath. “I don’t understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing.”The camerlegno smiled. “You’ve been reading Scripture.””I try.””You are confused because the Bible describes God as an omnipotent and benevolent deity.””Exactly.””Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.””I understand the concept. It’s just… there seems to be a contradiction.””Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man’s starvation, war, sickness…””Exactly!” Chartrand knew the camerlegno would understand. “Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn’t He?”The camerlegno frowned. “Would He?”Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn’t ask? “Well… if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.””Do you have children, Lieutenant?”Chartrand flushed. “No, signore.””Imagine you had an eight-year-old son… would you love him?””Of course.””Would you do everything in your power to prevent pain in his life?””Of course.””Would you let him skateboard?”Chartrand did a double take. The camerlegno always seemed oddly “in touch” for a clergyman. “Yeah,I guess,” Chartrand said. “Sure, I’d let him skateboard, but I’d tell him to be careful.””So as this child’s father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?””I wouldn’t run behind him and mollycoddle him if that’s what you mean.””But what if he fell and skinned his knee?””He would learn to be more careful.”The camerlegno smiled. “So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child’s pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?””Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It’s how we learn.”The camerlegno nodded. “Exactly.”

− Dan Brown −