As I have mentioned in several posts, I am rereading Glynn Young’s 5 part series called Dancing Priest. In fact, due to a schedule that allowed me to read a little more than usual in the evening, and a few later nights than normal, I have completed reading the series again. I plan to use the last two books in the series as inspiration for posts this week.
I have a confession to make first. I have really struggled with this post. NOT because of the book. It was fabulous. Well-written, holding my attention as each page wrapped me into the story, I struggled, not because of the story, but because of the subject matter. To clarify: I am not trying to scare anyone away, but you must be aware of the seriousness of the subject matter. Woven in the story of newly crowned King Michael and Queen Sarah Kent-Hughes, is a story so heart-wrenching I had to stop a few times to gather my emotions. King Michael is ready to get down to business serving the people of the UK, not knowing a looming scandal involving the Church of England (CoE)-of which he is an ordained priest- is about to rock his world. Michael is forced to take on the job of running the government because politicians do what politicians do best-fight each other and refuse to compromise and get along. (Hmmm sounds familiar). In the midst of all of this, Michael is made aware by various different ways (one which involves his and Sarah’s adopted son, Jason), of the sexual abuse running rampant in the CoE. I’m not going to go into detail on the scandal. You will have to read it yourself to find out more! 🙂
However, there is a discussion between King Michael and Queen Sarah that stuck out to me. As Michael was looking back over what was (his preparing and preaching) and Sarah was expecting their first child (Hank), he says, “It seems like decades, and another life.”
Sarah replies: “It was another life. Even if we don’t know what we’re doing, Mike, or what we should do, God does. The stuff that’s horrible or appalling or perplexing, He knows it. He has us both here for a reason, if we can’t fathom it and even if we want to be anywhere else but here. Mike, He’s ripping the lid off the sewer; it’s just hard to be one of the workers He sends in to clean out the pipes.” (p.222)
What a vivid description of what often has to happen to ugly situations. Rip the lid off the sewer and clean out the pipes. Spoiler alert: the subject matter is a clergy scandal of abuse which rapidly spreads. It is ugly. It is a sewer. But Glynn rips the lid off and gives us a whiff of the smell. Glynn could have taken this from the headlines.
‘Nuff said. I’d suggest reading the book yourself. But start with #1. And if you, or someone you love, is a victim of clergy abuse, report it and get help.
Sexual abuse is never, never okay, no matter who is perpetrating it, Bill. Glynn tackled a tough topic in a way that made it all to real and present, and one that we, as Christians, should never tolerate. So glad you’re continuing with this series!
Blessings!
I agree with you Martha. Glynn handled it superbly. And you are right: it is never, never right.
Way back in 2012, as “A Light Shining” was getting reading to publish, the publisher asked for a description of whatever books might be next in the series. The fourth one was “Dancing Prophet.” I told him it was was based on the Catholic Church scandal, but moved to the Church of England. Two weeks later, he sent me a newspaper article from Britain, asking me if I was prophetic. Not as extensive as the Catholic Church’s, but a similar scandal had erupted with the Church of England – one that is still playing out in its various forms with the recent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury for a cover-up. The book was published in 2017, and it’s eerie for me to go back and read it now.
I thought i had read something about this Glynn but didn’t want to assume. Appreciate your history lesson. 🙂 It is sad no matter who or what entity is involved.