Bless Me, Father

About the Book

SUMMARY Bless Me, Father... A nun is murdered at dawn in an inner-city parish. Police are baffled as there is little evidence to investigate. However, the next time the murderer attempts to take the life of a nun, a mysterious figure in black intercedes, taking the life of the murderer and saving the intended victim. Meanwhile, in a monastery in upstate New York, Father Stephan Zablonsky and his assistant and lifelong friend, Dick Rogers, are researching the existence of a secret sect of Jesuits, trained as soldiers and sworn to defend the Church, meeting violence with violence, when necessary. In New York City, a powerful Mafia boss has irrationally decided that the troubles in his life are directly linked to the Vatican and has taken out a contract on the Pope himself. In Vatican City, the Pope is suffering from kidney failure, and though a transplant will restore him to health, the political atmosphere is particularly volatile. It is feared that the loss of the Pope for the two months needed for the operation and recuperation will topple the precarious balance struck between disputing factions. The Vatican hierarchy devises a plan in which they will find a suitable imposter to play the part of the Pope while the pontiff regains his health. The four elements of this complex thriller are drawn together when Father Stephan is selected to impersonate the Pope. He bears a strong resemblance to the Pope and is a gifted linguist. Father Stephan=s acceptance of this outrageous assignment is a particularly courageous act, as he knows about the hit ordered on the Pontiff. The action moves to Italy, where Stephan journeys to stand in for the Pope as he successfully recovers from the surgery. Other characters with missions also make their way to Rome: a ruthless assassin, and the mysterious priest who is able to be in the right place at the right time when lives are at risk. Father Stephan faces repeated assassination attempts, but survives with help from the mysterious stranger.

About the Author

Richard J. Peinkofer lives in Oneonta, N.Y. with his wife, Alda. He is the father of two sons and has several grandchildren. He received his B.S. from the University of Buffalo and his MS in Counseling from the State University College at Oneonta. He is an avid reader, has created many items in stained glass as well as other art mediums. He is a retired Scout Executive, having served 38 years with the Boy Scouts of America.