'Well, if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would HAVE to. It seems He is either omnipotent and caring, or benevolent and powerless to help.'
'Do you have children lieutenant?'
Chartrand flushed, 'No, signore.'
'Imagine you had an eight year old son... would you love him?'
'Of course.'
'Would you let him skateboard?'
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'Yeah, I guess,' Chartrand said. 'Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful.'
'So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?'
'I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean.'
'But what if he fell and skinned his knee?'
'He would learn to be more careful.'
The camerlengo smiled. 'So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?'
'Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn.'
The camerlengo nodded. 'Exactly.'