Body and Blood

Came to this one a bit late, because I was wary of the author's reputation as writing mostly "gay vampire" novels (Excellent ones, I am told, but not one of my interests). The title suggested that this might be another in that genre, and I didn't find out otherwise until I stumbled upon an earlier review of the book, and decided to add it to my reading list. After over 20 years in the priesthood, Father Chris Sieb is a respected administrator and spiritual director of a diocesan retreat house in Kansas City, which ironically was previously a seminary school in which he first pursued his vocation to the priesthood as a teenager. When Chris hears the name of Father Jack Canston, who is transferring from out of state to take over a nearby parrish, his thoughts go back to those days, when the two young men were inseparable. In fact, Jack was Chris' first and only male lover, and, although he respected his vows and led a celebate life since, he never really stopped loving him. But "Father Jack" has some other problems, which quickly become evident to his friend. He becomes unnerved when, jogging near the school, they come across a dog who had been hit by a car, and Chris later learns that Jack had been in a mental hospital for treatment at his previous assignment, which was the primary reason for the relocation. Then there is the matter of a young attractive man whom sought out Jack for "sprirtual guidance" but Chris feels strongly that they are in a sexual relationship as well. When the diocese reacts to the suicide of another cleric reported to have been gay, and announces a "zero tolerance" policy on homosexual priests, both of them struggle with their mutual desire to be together being in conflict with their vocation, with Chris alone feeling that he could not deal with the order's version of "Don't ask, don't tell" if he truly wanted to be happy. Not really a "mystery" in its purest sense, this is more a story about a man coming to terms with what he really wants to do with the rest of his life, and whether he can trust the person he is willing to risk everything in order to share that life with. The novel is nicely paced, with just enough surprises to make it a bit of a page-turner. And the author makes a forceful commentary on the Catholic Church's knee-jerk reaction to charges of pedophile priests, making its gay priests the scapegoat with justification or any logic. Interesting read, five stars out of five.

Schiefelbein, Michael. "Body and Blood", St. Martin's 2008. Passion and Secrets Amos Lassen Michael Schiefelbein spent ten years studying to be a priest and seems to have a fascination with blood as he has written four books that have something to do with it. He also writes about sex and he does so well. In "Body and Blood" sixteen year old Chris Sieb out main character remembers when he was a student in a Catholic seminary and had a heavy crush on a fellow student, Jack Cranston. Twenty-five years later, we find Jack serving in a diocese in Kansas City where he and Chris meet again but Chris is now Father Sieb and living a deeply closeted life. Yet upon seeing each the old romance is rekindled and the two men begin having an affair which is highly secret. However, shortly after it began the two men learn that a former classmate, another closeted priest, died suddenly from an apparent suicide. The archbishop suddenly receives a letter that says that a great deal has been happening between the priests. Chris also begins to notice that Jack is hiding something which may be related to his friend's death. Chris also realizes that the threat that Jack represents could cause a great deal of trouble. As the two men are surrounded by mystery, they must come into their own. This is a very powerful character study that goes beyond the usual as it looks the conflict between personal needs and desires in opposition to religious belief, Chris and Jack struggle with their sexuality which is regarded as a double sin in the Catholic church--that of ignoring the vows of celibacy and their own sexual preference. Such is the issue of faith when the human mind is in conflict with requirements of G-D. Written with a high sense of style, it will keep you turning pages.

Once again Michael Schiefelbein takes the reader on a religious journey. This time it is into the lives of gay Catholic priests and the desperation and loneliness of wanting love, wanting to love, having someone love them..and yet they must lead lives of quiet desperation in an attempt to adhere to their vows of celibacy and the Vaticans edicts of allowing no gay men become priests and that any gay priests must be reported! Schiefelbein shows us the destruction of their psyche, the deception that must be lived out and at the same time focuses on 3 priests and the nightmare of their gay love. Gripping tale of the love these men wanted at any cost. How each had their own personal demons to fight and..the desperation of trying to live double lives. I couldn't put it down!

When they were sixteen years old seminary students Chris Sieb struggled to hide his attraction to Jack Canston. He succeeded as no one knew how much he wanted to give up his body to Jack instead of the Lord. For the next twenty-five years Father Chris Sieb hides in the closet his gay feelings as he never acts on them. Currently Chris lives in Kansas City where he successfully runs the St. John's Diocesan Center. However, Father Jack Canston has come to see him. Both feel the incredible attraction that makes Chris wonder whether he needs to give up his priesthood as in his heart (and loins) he fails the Christ. Both are stunned by the recent suicide of Father Eddie Gerhardt, who killed himself over his guilt closeted homosexual feelings that made him believe he was not pure for the Christ. Now Chris and Jack must confront what Eddie refused to face, can a gay preferential individual be a good Christian priest especially of they adhere to the celibacy vow? Leaving his vampires behind, Michael Schiefelbein provides a powerful character study that digs deep into human psyche with the conflict between personal needs and desires vs. religious beliefs. As the suicide of Father Gerhardt affirms these are not necessarily compatible. Chris and jack struggle with their sexual preference, which is a double sin as their celibacy vow is under assault and being gay in their minds makes it even more of a transgression. BODY AND BLOOD is a superb look into faith when the human desires are in conflict with the heavenly requirements. Harriet Klausner