The Cloisters, James Carroll, author and narrator
Separated by centuries, two stories intersect unexpectedly. The first begins in the 12th century, in Paris, with the forbidden relationship between Peter Abelard and Heloise D’Argenteuil; when betrayed, he became a monk and she a nun. Their secret love has survived scrutiny for hundreds of years. The second story begins in the middle of the 20th century. It tells the tale of a Catholic priest and a survivor of the Holocaust, Father Michael Kavanaugh and Rachel Vedette. They are unexpectedly drawn to each other when they accidently meet in The Cloisters. She has secrets, and so does he. Both were betrayed by those they trusted.
Peter, an accomplished philosopher, was engaged to enhance Heloise’s education, by her uncle, Canon Fulbert. They soon discovered that they were attracted to each other in forbidden ways. Unable to help themselves, Heloise soon finds she is with child. Although Peter wants to marry her, she fears for his reputation and refuses. Peter takes her to his sister in Nantes for her confinement. They hope to be able to save their child from a life of condemnation. They leave their son, Astralabe with his sister, and they set off for Paris, hoping to restore their reputations. They were unaware that their secret love affair had already been discovered. Abelard is guilty of heresy. He accepts the Jews and engages with a Jewish scholar. The Church confronts him. He does not believe that Christ was forsaken by his Father. However, if that was G-d’s will, then it was not the Jews fault, at all, for it was also G-d’s will that they make that choice. Yet, the Church mocks and denigrates Jews. They actively promote negative views about them, defining them as Christ killers. They criticize them for sacrificing their own children to save them from becoming slaves. They Promote antagonism toward them. Peter disagrees with the Church’s approach to Jews. He is bucking the norm. He is condemned. Peter believes the Catholic Church is responsible for the atrocities committed against the Jews because of how they define them. While Peter respects Jews, the Church resents them. The Church turns against him because of his heresy. This part of the book is written authentically in the verbiage of the times. It is lyrical and eloquent.
Move ahead now, to the 1950’s. Father Michael Kavanaugh is a calming influence. His parishioners love him. One day, an old friend turns up during his service, but refuses the sacrament. Father Kavanaugh is surprised. He recognizes him. It is his former best friend, John “Runner” Malloy, who had supposedly left the seminary because of Michael, according to the bishop. Michael has carried that guilt for years. When John runs out of the Church, Michael follows him. Unable to find him, as rain begins to fall, he takes refuge in The Cloisters. There he meets Rachel Vedette, a Frenchwoman from Paris. She is Jewish. He is surprised that she is a docent there, in a place for Catholics. She, however, is a scholar. Her father was a foremost expert on Peter Abelard and his philosophy about Jews. When he was fired as Hitler gained power, she was able to step in to complete his research. Although she was unable to save him, she had saved his favorite book, Abelard’s biography, “Historica Calamitatum. Peter’s suffering at the hands of the Church and his love for Heloise is documented within it. Here is the intersection of the two centuries that are far apart.
After Father Kavanaugh examines his faith, he comes to an unusual conclusion. He places the blame for all of the catastrophes that have befallen Jews, at the feet of the Church. Soon, he withdraws from the priesthood and joins his brother in a tugboat business. He has been drawn to Rachel and her suffering and coupled with the bishop’s betrayal; it unites them. The bishop has hidden the shameful behavior of a priest and subjected innocent boys to unnecessary further pedophilia. Instead of condemning the priest, he has blamed the young boys. Somehow, both Rachel and Michael find the strength within themselves to help each other.
Heloise’s advice led Peter to tragedy, not freedom. Rachel’s advice led Michael to freedom, hopefully it will not end in tragedy. So, while Peter sought solace as a Monk, when the Church betrayed him, Father Kavanaugh abandoned the Church, when he felt betrayed. Just as the Rabbi was known to offer solace, so known was Father Kavanaugh. While Heloise became more involved with the Church as a result of the church’s betrayal, Rachel abandoned her religion when she felt betrayed. The Rabbi is Peter’s mentor and savior. The bishop is Kavanaugh’s mentor and tormentor. Both sides of the coin are represented for the reader to ponder. Both men’s lives were drastically altered by the teachings of their mentors.
The book covers the history well, including the charges of blasphemy, heresy, the superstition, the bigotry, the hierarchy of the church, the condemnation and the horrors committed in the name of religion, the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the damning of the Jews. It will give the reader much to contemplate and discuss.