The candles were burning softly in the cool Caribbean night as we sat across the table marked by good conversation and a glow of a good meal with sweet cold wine.

The guests were animated and their conversations lofted across the evening calm, touching on subjects like the history of man and the credos of love and adventure. One conversation in particular stood out as we heard parables on the role of religion in modern society and how over the centuries the force of faith created optimism and the advance of civilization.

We reflected years later on the wisdom of this charming prelate from the Holy See of Newark and lo and behold the picture today of a bent over old man dressed in an old blazer and hand me down sweater faced the court and his accuser with eyes moist from a bewildering moment that father Ted could never believe would transpire.