God on Trial

The people of Cagliari, Sardinia's rugged hillside capital, called it "the trial of God." Father Riccardo Lombardi, who last spring had launched a nationwide "Crusade of Love" (TIME, March 1), had been challenged to debate by Sardinia's No. 1 Communist, Velio Spano. The subject: "For Humanity's Good--Communism or Christianity?"

The contest was arranged with the rigorous etiquette of a duel. The two contestants first chose their seconds: a local Catholic layman and a Communist poet. When Father Lombardi refused a public out-of-door contest ("I have no fear, but

I have proof that someone wants to kill me"), the seconds agreed on a small theater attached to the Church of St. Eulalia. They also agreed that besides the seconds and the referee only 40 carefully screened persons (20 Christians and 20 Communists) would be allowed to attend. The Cagliari radio would broadcast the debate throughout the island.

On the appointed day at 5:30 p.m. Velio Spano, in a natty brown double-breasted suit, crossed the little piazza in front of the church and entered the hall. A minute later Father Lombardi arrived, his face muffled in a black shawl. The contestants smilingly shook hands and took their seats behind a red table on the theater's stage. In the audience their supporters, divided by the middle aisle, sat quietly on seats marked with their names in big letters. As the seconds checked their watches, Father Lombardi murmured to Spano: "When Communism falls--as I'm sure it will--call upon me at any time. I will do all I can to help you." Retorted Spano: "I won't need to."

Father Lombardi spoke first. He said: "It is either in Communism or Christianity that humanity must find a solution . . . There is much good in Communism . . . but the good there is in you, Mr. Spano, comes from your being Christian not Communist . . . We aren't opposed to Communists who expect social betterment . . . but the purely materialistic view which discards spiritual values, leads to the dictatorship of a single class and to the concentration of this dictatorship finally in the hands of a single man . . . May Christianity enliven all that is Christian in Communism . . ."

The seconds held up their hands. It was Spano's turn. "The ecclesiastical authorities," he said, "should condemn your truly satanic pride . . . You speak of ... spiritual values, but side with the capitalism of America . . . Your teacher, Jesus Christ [he gulped and began again]--Our teacher, Jesus Christ, said that his kingdom was not of this world . . . the fact is that the church has betrayed the Gospel ... in its humanitarian and social aspect . . ."

"It is false," cried Father Lombardi in rebuttal. "We advocate courageous social reforms, division of property, support of the needy . . . My greatest hope at this moment, Mr. Spano, is that your soul may be saved. For this I would gladly give my life though I too am only an unworthy sinner." As he finished, he clasped Spano's hand and warmly embraced him.

However, there had been no Christian miracles, no Marxist magic. The count of souls remained the same. Out of the hall into the chilly night filed 20 Christians and 20 Reds, not speaking to one another.

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