Catholics (novel)
Catholics is a novel by Brian Moore, who appeared in 1975 under the title "Island of Faith" in Claassen in Dusseldorf. The original came in 1972 under the title " Catholics " Out at Jonathan Cape, London.
Abt O'Malley sets the liturgical reform from 1966 through against the will of his monks.
Action
The young Catholic priest James Kinsella, an American from the Ecumenical Centre Amsterdam, sent from Rome is not received in the West of Ireland with open arms. He must first request a helicopter to reach Ireland's South West coast of a medieval monastery on the Atlantic island of Muck outside Cahirciveen. The priest, the son of a Liberal wants there diplomatically but firmly occur in the remote abbey. The abbot Tomás O'Malley, an old St. -Alban- monk stands in front of any contemplative orders. The monks are active as farmers and fishermen. On Mount Coom in Cahirciveen on the Irish coast, the monks celebrate Mass in Latin and still return it to the community back on. This act the clergy against the decisions of the ( fictional) Fourth Vatican Council. Kinsella shall command the bustle immediately stop. From Humbertus General von Kleist the Order of Saint Alban he is to have the necessary powers. Kinsella could even install a new abbot. This happens not. O'Malley occurs hospitable. It only contradict some monks: The new exhibition is neither mystery nor conversation with God, but a babbling together with the laity. By contrast, the abbot protested even once. On the contrary. He confesses after forty years of priesthood doubts about his vocation. With difficulty he has the rebellious novice master Father Matthew, a hulking troublemakers in their place. Kinsella is the abbot under time pressure. O'Malley promises after a short reflection obedience to the reforms. Kinsella from traveling. The abbot takes his monks opposed alone and without protection. He continues his only weapon - the prayer - a. Then obey the monks, by praying with him.
Filming
The novel was made into a film broadcast by Jack Gold Brian Moore's screenplay for television and first on 29 November 1973 in the series " ITV Saturday Night Theatre". Trevor Howard played the abbot O'Malley, Martin Sheen priest James Kinsella and Andrew Keir Father Matthew.
German editions
Brian Moore: Catholics. Novel. Translated from English by Elisabeth Schnack. 108 pages. Diogenes, Zurich 1978, ISBN 3-257-20546-5