“Bishop Agilbert, of the Franks and Rome.” Oswy invited. Cedd translated. Agilbert stood up and started to speak in Latin, for he had no English, British or Irish. His speech was necessarily halting, in order to allow Cedd to translate as he went along.
“Dearly beloved, my children in God,” a murmur went around the Irish in the audience as Cedd translated into English. Bishops were no more than clerks, weren’t they? And the only priests who styled themselves ‘fathers’ were the Druids. Even Oswy’s eyebrows rose. “We are here today - [...here today, Cedd called out] - because the Church of the Irish - [...Church of the Irish] - fell into error many years ago - [...error many years ago].” The murmur rose again, and there was an edge to it now. “You cannot deny - [...cannot deny] - that the Church in Rome - [...Church in Rome] - has proved itself most worthy - [...itself most worthy] - of God’s favour - [...God’s favour]. It has survived - [...has survived] - persecution [...persecution] - at the hands of successive Emperors [...successful Emperors - what? - Oh, sorry - successIVE Emperors] - until finally, and to the Great Glory of God - [...Glory of God] - the Imperial heart of Rome turned to the One True God. - [...One True God]. - In the time of our temptation and struggle - [...temptation and struggle] - and this land’s separation from us - [...separation from us] - the clergy in these lands - [...in these lands] - deviated from the True Path.” Cedd stopped at this, and looked pointedly at the Roman Bishop.
“Translate for me please, Magister Abbott. I would hear what the Bishop has to say,” Oswy said quietly. Cedd nodded and continued.
“[The clergy in these lands deviated from the True Path]” he concluded. A shocked murmur went round the crowd within the chapel and was echoed by those outside. Colman stood and gazed sternly round the congregation and the noise subsided. Agilbert continued, and Cedd resumed his translation.
“This deviation is demonstrated by a number of things. Notably, the difference in the date of Easter, which the whole Church has calculated and found to be Truth but is observed wrongly here. The persistence of the Heresy of Pelagius, which maintains that Grace, which is the Gift of God alone through His Holy Church can be attained through personal free will is a serious error which the Church rejected at a great meeting two hundred years ago and declared to be anathema. I would also point out that your monks and priests wear the tonsure of Simon Magus who tried to bribe the Apostles - “ Cedd glanced nervously at Oswy and Colman. This could cause uproar. Oswy stood up.
“Guards! Keep order in here, and in the crowd outside this place! Anyone who causes violence is to be arrested or cut down! That is my command!” he called, and sat down again. “Please continue,” he said to Cedd.
“ - [... wear the tonsure of Simon Magus, who tried to bribe the Apostles] – “ Cedd said.
“ - into giving him the power of healing and raising from the dead,” Agilbert resumed. This tonsure is the mark of a blasphemer and was inherited from the Druids. It has no place in God’s Church. We extend our hands to our brothers and sisters in Christ who - though they have erred in their practice - have done so with good intent. In the Lord there is forgiveness and mercy in abundance and if you will now turn and join with His Church on Earth then all will be well. For does not the Bible say that there shall be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over one hundred just men. Think of the rejoicing there will be in Heaven when so many return to the fold. It is only the One, True Catholic Church that has the Grace and authority of God Himself. Come to her and be one with God. Turn away from your error and unite with Christ.”
With that, he sat down.
There was uproar in the chapel and outside. Agilbert’s address had been technical and poorly phrased and his lack of English and the disjointing effect of the translation hadn’t helped. But its central arrogance, its uncompromising attack on heartfelt convictions - as well as its patronising tone - had got through to the adherents of the Irish Church and they were furious. Colman and Cedd both turned to the people. Cedd spoke first, in English, shouting over the angry roar.
“Calm yourselves! Calm yourselves! This is God’s House! We will have no confrontation! No violence! Our God is the God of Love! We can show these people what true Faith and Love are! But not with anger and hate in our hearts! Calm down!”
Colman supported him, in Gaelic and British.
“Monks and priests! Remember your vows! Calm down now, and cease this behaviour!” The tumult started to decline.
“What about their idolatry that we witnessed in this Church yesterday?” someone shouted. The anger threatened to explode again.
“We will deal with all these things! You do us and yourselves and our Church a disservice and damage with your anger!” Colman shouted. “Calm yourselves, now! Or face eviction from this House and ejection from the monastery!” This, at last, had the desired effect. The row subsided and a sullen silence fell on the Irish party.
Wilfrid’s face was set still as stone. He knew that his Bishop had done their cause no favours. He stole a look at Oswy, who was regarding Agilbert with thoughtful and barely-concealed contempt. My eyes met Wilfrid’s for a moment, while I was looking at Oswy and trying to see what he was thinking. He glared at me. I didn’t react. I was trying to see what Oswy’s response was. Without seeing his face I couldn’t gain a full picture, but I could feel waves of contempt overlying the tension and anger underneath. Looking further, I examined Agilbert’s face. The man was genuinely surprised at the mayhem he had unleashed. He’d intended to offer an olive branch, a way into the Church without any onerous burden. It was dawning on him that he could have been more diplomatic and maybe less aggressive. But how could he be less than he was, fervent in the pursuit of his belief?
Order was at last restored. After the opening remarks the debate moved into a series of skirmishes, which stretched to lunchtime (when Oswy called a two-hour break) and resumed in the afternoon. The question of the number of Angels that could dance on the head of a pin was raised. Colman dismissed it with a joke.
“I think the number is less germane than the question of the angels dancing: if they do so at all, then they cannot be adherents of the Roman Church. Do you not teach that such things are forbidden in the presence of God?” There was laughter and Agilbert changed the subject.