Chapter 48, A Church in Flames Summary

Father Bernard is preparing for Saturday evening confession. He checks to make sure he has everything he needs, then heads across town toward the Church of the Holy Savior. As he nears the confessional, the father notices a strange woman kneeling by the side aisle. When he is finished hearing confessions, Father Bernard leaves the confessional and is confronted by the strange woman, Pussy, who opens her trench coat, flashing the priest. Pussy assaults Father Bernard and then burns the church down, with the priest in it.

Chapter 48, A Church in Flames Analysis

This is Patrick's catharsis, his purging of emotional anguish, summed up in a short story. This short story is Patrick's way of forgiving his father, something he is clearly unable to do. Because he blames Father Bernard for more than just his...