Nobody expects the Argentine Inquisition! Our main weapon is kissing... kissing and healing... two main weapons. And a fanatical devotion to the Pope. Three main weapons. Oh, and adultery. I'll come in again.
You are charged with the crime of quoting Monty Python yet again.
Consider this post as another item in our long-running
series "How to be a good pope" - designed for those who went to a conclave and were
elected to the top job by an overwhelming 120 votes (this slightly
surprised you, as there were only 115 cardinal-electors, but then your mates in the St Gallstone Mafia
weren't taking any chances!)
Remember the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition? Well, it's now called the
Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which doesn't sound nearly as impressive. And it needs a new boss.
The first chap to run the show was Antonio Ghislieri, who later became Pope Pius V and a saint,
so you must be very careful to choose a successor of equal merit.
St Pius V - not known for writing books about kissing.
Anyway, you seem to have found the ideal candidate. You already have a track record of
brilliant appointments to dicasteries - the Catholic World is lost in wonder at
the exploits of Arthur "Two-dinners" Rogue in the Divine Worship office -
and
your old pal Archbishop Victor, alias "Touchy-feely", looks like a worthy successor to Pope St Pius V.
A quick look at his CV shows that he wrote a book called
Kiss me quick, baby. A guide to healing.
We're hoping that this will be made into a blockbuster film, with Austen Ivereigh in the role
of the great healer.
Moreover, Touch-feely helped ghost-write your own bestselling
Amorous Letitia, the story of
a libertine who was welcomed back into the church and (I never got that far, but I'm guessing) ended up
as a Jesuit priest.
This sort of thing is guaranteed to annoy the rigid backwardist indietrists who are making life so
difficult for you.
Now, Touchy-Feely, how do you plan to "sex up" Catholic teaching?
Good. You've made another brilliant appointment. Box ticked.
What's next on the agenda? Oh yes,
sending the boys round to beat up Bishop Strickland, who's been stepping out of line by
giving a moral lead.
No problem...
