Author Description

Betty Furgeson, a middle-age Catholic, presumed to be in excellent health, discovers she has a severe case of breast cancer. Prompted by her sister-in-law and the sister-in-law's Lutheran minister, Betty chooses to seek divine healing based upon an obscure Biblical Scripture in the Book of James, which instructs the sick to call for the Elders of the Church to obtain healing. Betty begins her quest by asking the priest at her Church, "Where are the Elders?" At first the Church advises Betty that Elders no longer exist. Betty doesn't accept that response and demands that the Elders of her Church anoint her with oil and pray for her. Initially the Church refuses Betty's demand. Their refusal, which is reported in the newspaper, creates substantial adverse publicity for the Catholic Church. The publicity prompts the Church to reverse itself by agreeing to Betty's demand. By that time, however, Betty, with the aid of a courageous nun, has learned that the Bible set forth certain qualifications for Elders which the Catholic Clergy does not meet. Betty, believing that anointing by an unqualified clergyman will not bring healing, refuses the Church's eleventh-hour offer to anoint her.