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Thunderbolt is a true to life novel about the changes that are taking place in the Catholic Church today. It is a compelling story by first time author Chip Songy of a young Louisiana priest on the fast track for promotion up the chain of the church. The gripping novel deals with current issues including the celibacy requirement for priests and the limitation of the priesthood to males. Our young priest also faces temptation by a female parishioner he is counseling. His dilemma offers the reader a captivating story that builds suspense right up to the end.
THUNDERBOLT
A young priest is on the fast track for promotion up the chain of authority in the Catholic Church, when he is embraced by a clandestine group of influential bishops from across the United States. The group is working on a viable plan to persuade the Vatican leadership to open for discussion three subjects that have be sacrosanct within the Catholic Church for centuries: 1) the celibacy requirement for priests, 2) the limitation of the priesthood to males, and 3) the requirement of an annulment of a marriage before a Catholic is allowed to be remarried in the Church.
As our young priest works behind the scenes with his bishop, he developed an infatuation with a female parishioner he is counseling. This creates a dilemma that causes him to question his commitment to celibacy. Does he go to Rome or leave the priesthood?
This challenging story of a conflicted priest takes place in the south Louisiana's heavily populated Catholic country where emotions run high when dealing with Church doctrine and emotional relationships.
Author Chip Songy vividly captures the flavor of a unique part of the country and raises some troubling questions about the future of the Catholic Church.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chip Songy.
After finishing LSU Law School and practicing law in Baton Rouge for several years, Chip joined two friends in a startup real estate development company. He recently retired after working with his partners for thirty six years to grow Stirling Properties into one of the largest full-service real estate companies in the Gulf South, now managing approximately 15 million square feet of retail, office, and multi-family properties.
Chip has been an active lay member in the Catholic Church throughout his career, focusing on Catholic schools in particular and education in general. He now serves as an adjunct professor at LSU Law School each spring.
He loves to fly fish and bow hunt throughout the United States, while still attempting to improve his golf game.
Chip has three married children and three grand children, and resides in Baton Rouge.
ISBN 978-0-578-13895-4
$5.99