A Corner of the Veil
by Laurence Cosse
( Schribner, 1999)

What if God's existence were irrefutably and undeniably proven? What would "faith" mean? What would be the need for and the nature of the church? These are the questions raised in the French novella, A Corner of the Veil.

As the curtain opens on this engaging and evocative novella, we find ourselves in Paris, in the cluttered and draughty office of Father Bertrand Beaulieu, a member of the venerable Society of Casuists. Father Beaulieu holds in his trembling hands an envelope that has been sent to him by an ex-priest from the outskirts of Paris. In the envelope is a six-page document that unequivocally proves the existence of God. However, Father Beaulieu must struggle with the question of whether or not this is good news, and whom he should tell.

This brief but powerful novel invites the reader to consider whether or not it would be to the benefit of humankind to truly be able to prove the existence of God. What is faith if there is no risk, no question, no doubt? What would the world be like if we could prove who God is, what God wants us to be, and how God expects us to treat one another.

Father Le Dangelot, a leader of the church, wrestles with whether this is the kind of world we would even want to live in. "The government is terribly upset to learn that the proof is established — and still more, to imagine it broadcast. It has put its experts to work to get an idea of what could become of our societies once they're informed of the matter. The predictions are alarming. The first effect would obviously be chaos. Ninety percent of human undertakings will look foolish, meaningless, pathetic."

As the story progresses, there is a growing sense of peril for those who believe that the truth of God's verifiable existence must be shared with the world. While the danger of their message is not lost on these characters, no one who has read the proof would consider not sharing it with the world. These simple priests are clearly "paradigm pioneers." The pages of this story lead them through a journey that they would not have chosen on their own. They are made the focus of skepticism, scrutiny, and distrust by those who fear the "truth" to which they bear witness and the impact it will have upon the world. As this news moves through channels Ᾱ from the lowliest seminary student to the top of the Vatican — and from a simple bureaucrat to the Prime Minister of France, the reader may be surprised at those who embrace this message and at those who attempt to discredit and destroy the "proof." This novel is best approached with an open mind and a map of Paris.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do people seek proof for their beliefs? What becomes of faith when proof is found? What is the relationship between knowledge and truth, facts and faith?
2. Why do so many people feel that doubt and questioning display a lack of faith? What does it mean to "know" God? How do you react to Waldenhag's declaration (p. 112): "My God is not an object for verification, He is a subject for love"?
3. What role would the church play in a world where all doubt was removed and the fact of God was firmly established?

The Rev. Steve Poole, Seattle, Washington, is a FaithQuest consultant.

(originally posted May 5, 2000)