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Jorge and the Dragon

The Plan

 

All the generals were careful to keep their heads lowered as they entered the chamber so as to avoid the eyes of the one who sat high above them on his throne.  When all were seated Satan spoke.

 

“Do you know why I have summoned you all here?”  

 

“You have a mission for us master?” One of the grotesque beasts ventured.

 

“Yes a mission.” Satan  leaning forward on his throne. “Now listen carefully” There was an instant quiet. “we cannot afford to make any mistakes this time. I know we have had some victories dividing the followers of,” he paused and pointed upwards, “Him! But now we have a chance of taking millions away from Him.”

 

Amid the excited demons sat one named Dalil, an expert in deception and lies.  He commanded one hundred legions.”I am ready Master just give me your orders”

 

Satan threw his head back and laughed. “Hear what I have to tell you first.”  He paused before continuing, ” The German Pope, who sits on the throne in Rome is going to resign.”

 

The demons gasped then started murmuring among themselves. A giant beast resembling a bear with the head of a reptile called out “Why, what has happened? Is it because of the factions in the Vatican?” he laughed. “Is it all too much for him?”

 

Before Satan could answer him a small twisted black creature with a rat like tail asked gleefully. “Are we going to bring down His Church at last?”

 

“Fool!” Satan shouted with uncontrolled fury. “Don’t you know we can’t do that?” He leapt from his throne landing inches away from the now cowering demon who had spoken. The creature moved quickly out of Satan’s way fearing the worst. He knew only too well what it was like to feel his master’s wrath.

 

Satan’s face contorted as if in pain. “He, the Christ, made sure that can never happen.” The chamber fell silent. Satan paced up and down before his audience. After some time a huge demon with a protruding jaw and gigantic teeth broke the silence. “We will do whatever you ask of us Master”

 

Satan stopped pacing, his piercing black eyes sought the speaker out. “Ah Arael, my cunning friend. You have worked well in the past, leading men to falsehood.” The corners lifted on Satan’s ugly mouth. “Yes we’ve had many victories.  Now,” he said, “it is time for another battle.”

 

“We are ready Master” The demons all shouted excitedly, thrashing at the air with their weapons.

 

“Quiet!” Satan roared.”Just make sure that you are ready because we cannot risk another saintly human running the Vatican. Now to answer the question.  ” The German pope is resigning because he cannot cope any more.” Loud guffaws came from his audience. ” He says the Papacy needs new blood, a stronger Pope. You see,” he said, “how well we have done our job? But don’t be too jubilant my generals,” he added quickly, “because you and I know that many of Christ’s men also walk in the Vatican. Our enemies are many” He spat out his words venomously. “Of course,” he continued, “I knew this would happen. He tried to resign in the past but the Polish one wouldn’t accept his resignation.  Now there is no one to stop him.  He is not  going to do what the other one did.”  his face twisted in rage.  He lingered to the bitter end to save souls. ”   Foolish creature!” A violent passion began to build up  inside him and for what seemed like an age not one dared to utter a word.   “We have time,” he told them finally. “I can see what lies ahead. Not that I am allowed to see everything clearly.” He added through gritted teeth.

 

“We have a few of our men in the Vatican working for us.” Arael told him with pride. “They will make sure our man is elected.”

 

Satan’s eyes bulged out from his goat like head. “How many times have we tried that before and failed?”

 

Dalil nodded in agreement. “In the past, when we did manage to secure the election of those few weak popes, not one of them attempted to change the teachings of the Church.”

 

“Exactly,” Satan bellowed. “As corrupt as they were they never did dare do that” But, he added thoughtfully, “if we can make it look as if the next one is going to do that”

 

“How?” Arael’s great eyes lit up.

 

“Deceit” Satan answered quickly. “And you are the master of deceit Arael. We are going to create one big lie, deceiving many into believing that the next pope is going to change the age old teachings of the Church! This is the way we will destroy the papacy. Those poor deceived souls will believe it all by the time we’re finished” He feigned a look of sadness, before bursting out into hysterical laughter.

 

All the demons joined in the laughter. “They will believe him to be the Beast” Shrieked one. “We will make sure of that.” said another. The laughter continued until Satan silenced them all with a roar and a motion of his great paw.

 

“What we need for this to work” he said stroking his long hairy chin, “Is to find some human creature, preferably a female, to do our bidding.  A Catholic who doesn’t know her faith. One who will not question what we tell her. How does that saying go? “Satan gives 90% truth and 10% untruth.” Satan let out a deep guttural laugh. The demons jumped up and down with  delight, screeching in high pitched tones. The whole chamber seemed to shake with the hideous sounds.

 

Satan waited until the laughter died down before continuing “I’ve thought this over long and hard,” He told them. “She will be skilled in public relations and marketing strategies. We will have need of these skills in order to sell the books, and,” he paused, “she will have a good knowledge of our favourite toy, the computer”

 

There was a hearty fresh burst of laughter from the demons.   “Yes it was our toy,”  Arael shouted above the din, “and still is, but,” he spat out, “the Christians also use it for evangelising.

 

“Yes that’s true” Dalil interrupted quickly. “Yet still,” He smiled, ” haven’t we managed to cause many to be addicted to so many vices.” He winked at his brother general on his left. “That job has been yours Typho.”

 

Typho stood up and bowed as his fellow demons burst into a rapturous applause. “It has been my pleasure” He grinned showing sharp yellow teeth.

 

Dalil looked  at Satan “So what will this woman do for us that will cause many to think the next pope will change the teachings of the Church?”

 

“She will speak as a prophet, our prophet”

 

“There are many of our prophets on earth, so why is this one going to make a difference?”

 

“She will have the means to send our messages to the four corners of the earth.” He paused and looked ahead into the future. “Yes I will send them messages like never before. I will offer them a paradise on earth if only they will help me convert souls,” He grinned slyly ” And millions will believe every word.

 

“Millions will believe that the next Pope is an anti-pope?  That is a great plan Master” Ariel spun himself round and looked at all the generals  “You all hear that?  He gave a raised fist salute.  We will win this battle,” He told them proudly.

 

” Arael” Satan asked suddenly,  "remember who came in second when the German was elected?”

 

Arael turned and looked at him “It was Jorge Bergoglio, the Argentinian Cardinal.”

 

“Bergoglio!” Satan snarled. The one who lives in a simple apartment and takes public transportation. That man sickens me with his love for the poor. We can never allow him to become Pope. You hear me Arael?” Satan bellowed. “I won’t have it.”

 

“Well there were a couple of others who came close, but if he is elected we can use this love he has for the poor to bring him down. What I mean is”…Arael said quickly. “We could cause all to believe that he is not interested in spreading the gospel so long as the poor are fed and clothed.”

 

“Yes that could work.” Satan trembled with excitement.” We will arrange for the media to distort and twist his words so as to cause all to question his meanings.” He sat upright on his throne and addressed all present. “You now know the plan…”

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