The Eternal Jew’s Tale, #158, Inquisition, 2

In this episode the workings of unchecked authority.

The Eternal Jew’s Tale
Twentieth Era, Part 1, ~1435 C.E., Enrique’s Tale, 2

The Interrogation of Enrique Nuñez
And the Court’s Sentence and his Punishment

October 12, 1435 [10 Tishray, Yom Kippur, 5196 — this date added by me, Saadia]
Trial at the Pope’s holy command.

First light. I unlock the door. Defendant led into the Court, brought from the Church’s holy dungeon, shackled by his feet and waist. Guards withdraw and I lock the door. Bells of prime. Bells of terce. Guards pound. I unlock the door.

Proceedings of the Court announced.
“Defendant, rise before the Judges and Prosecutors of the Holy Church.”
Three Judges enter the room in scarlet robes with ermine cuffs and gold embroidered crosses on the chest. Black hoods are over their heads to maintain the Court’s imperial awe.
“Swear ye, on this Crucifix.”

“I, Enrique Nuñez swear to speak the truth and not withhold any detail from this Court; to make confession of my crimes before my Savior, Jesus Christ, lest my soul be burned in Hell. And I swear that I will never reveal any details about this Court which is held in strictest secrecy. So swear I in Christ my Lor.”
So sworn. Defendant sits.

“Señor Nuñez tell this Court how old you are and where you were born, and all the members of your family, and its history in Mallorca’s lands.”
“I am about fifty years old. My family is from Alcudia. From days forgotten they settled there. St. Jaume is where we all prayed. Father Cabro baptized me. My own father died when I was a boy, and my mother before I took my vows to become a servant of Christ our Lor. Brother and sister, I have none. An uncle was murdered by a corsair Moor, and his children fled to Aragon before I came to church and God. I don’t know what became of them. An aunt and all her family died in the plague some twenty years ago. Of my people that’s all that I know.”

“Tell the Court when you came south, and how you came to wear the cloth.” [This history removed by me, Saadia]
“What bishop then appointed you as presbyter of Santa Clara? And at this convent tell the Court what were your duties, and who your peers?”

“Bishop Narcis of the Basilica of Santa Maria elected me presbyter of Santa Clara. I believe he now serves in Rome. The convent serves wayward girls, to bring them back to service of God. As you may surmise, such women as these require attentions, constant and close. Other priests of the church prefer to keep afar from such as these, so few are the peers that work with me. But my Savior ever stands with me.”

“Your days were thus unsupervised. Is this true?”
“In large part, yes, tho, of course, I was always before the eyes of those I served, so many of them. I was almost never alone in my work.”

“Did manly temptations ever grip your heart to engage in acts of lust with these women well known to sin?”
The defendant hesitated, then said,
“Such thoughts never entered my mind. First, I was almost never alone. As I already said there were eyes everywhere. Second, Your Honors, these women chose by their own will to lay themselves in the arms of Jesus and Mother Church. Shame and sorrow and deep-cut wounds have turned their hearts away from men; and new faith and their cohorts’ support lifted them from the clutches of sin. And third, my own unwavering faith in our Lor and Savior protected me, and helped to keep my thinking pure.”

“Are you sure you have nothing more to say on this matter? Remember the oath you swore before your Savior and in this Court. Make confession and clear your soul. Do not withhold any detail.”
“I have not withheld anything. This, my statement, is complete and true.”
“Then this session of the Court is adjourned.”
Guards escort the prisoner out. I lock the door. Bells of sext.

~~~~~~~~~~

In the next episode: the case is closed.