Meet the Cast: Father Peter Duncan

We Are Not Saints Series

Welcome back, old friends and new. Once again, this is Jay Carson, and I’m your host for Meet the Cast, a series of interviews with members of the cast of characters from the We Are Not Saints series of novels. Our guest today is Father Peter Duncan. Father Peter is an alumnus of the American Seminary in Rome. He graduated several years ahead of our friends, Fathers Jared Röhrbach and Paul Fortis. For the last number of years, he’s been working alongside Cardinal Romero in the Vatican.

JC Welcome, Father Duncan to our program. I’d like to start by asking you about your transition from seminary student to working in the Vatican for an important cardinal. Going straight from school to cardinal’s personal secretary is an unusual career arc, isn’t it? How did you manage it?

PD [Laughs] I admit that it sounds a little strange, but it wasn’t really the meteoric rise it might seem. I’ve known the cardinal since I was a freshman in college, and I did work for him part time while I was in seminary in Rome. Since I became quite familiar with the work, he asked me to stay on with him after ordination so he wouldn’t have break in someone new.

JC How did you and the cardinal meet?

PD I think it was Bishop Mickleson’s doing. You know, the cardinal is prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. He’s always on the lookout for new and exceptional talent. He has “scouts” all over the world scoping out local fellows. Once a year, he comes to the US to meet and interview these guys. The Apostolic Delegate hosts a reception for him at the Vatican Embassy in Washington, so he has a chance to observe and interview the prospects in person.

JC So, you’re saying that Bishop Mickleson is one of these “scouts?” It does seem more than coincidental that several of the cardinal’s protégés, including yourself, have come from Bishop Mickleson’s diocese.

PD That would be a fair assessment. After all, Bishop Mickleson himself was one of the cardinal’s protégés.

JC How did you meet the cardinal?

PD I’ve got to tell you, it was quite a shock. I was in my first year at the seminary, a freshman at Catholic University, and had only been in Washington DC for a couple of months. I was floored when I received an engraved personal invitation to a reception at the Vatican Embassy. My first thought was that it was a big mistake, but one of the cardinal’s assistants called me and filled me in on what to expect.

JC What was the reception like?

PD I was so nervous, I scarcely remember any of it. The cardinal only spent a few minutes speaking with me, I remember that. I was a bit disappointed…but there were so many people there.

JC Did the affair leave you with a good impression?

PD Yes, I suppose so. I thought the whole thing was very grand, but when it was all over, I didn’t really see the point…until the next day. The cardinal sent a car to the residence for me and took me out to lunch. Apparently, our brief conversation was enough for him. I was very surprised that he remembered everything we had chatted about. He also remembered better than I did what I did and said the rest of the evening. It turns out that he’d been watching me carefully all evening. I learned right then never to underestimate the man. He saw things in me that I couldn’t see in myself.

JC He took you on as his protégé right then?

PD Yes, and more than that. The luncheon turned out to be only the first of many. In fact, we had regularly scheduled luncheons every week for the four years I was in the seminary. I had to double-up on my gym workouts to counterbalance all that pasta. Seriously, I learned how to eat restaurant food modestly. That was a skill in itself, and it came in very handy while I was working for him.

JC What sorts of things did the two of you discuss over all those luncheons?

PD Most of all, he instructed me on the inner workings of the Vatican bureaucracy in general, and his office in particular. We also touched on Vatican politics. I don’t know how he managed it, but nobody in the Vatican had any secrets from him — including the Pope. It didn’t take me long to realize that he was training — grooming me, actually — to work with him. From the beginning, he had me pegged for his personal secretary. What developed beyond that was that he wanted me as his friend, and that’s exactly what I became. We’re still very close.

JC Weren’t Jared and Paul there at the seminary at the same time? What can you tell us about them?

PD I didn’t know them all that well back then. They were first year students when I was starting my fourth year as an ordained deacon. Between my studies, preparing for my ordination as a priest in the spring, and working part-time for the cardinal, I didn’t have much opportunity to socialize with underclassmen. I did know them, though. They were also the cardinal’s protégés, so I got to spend some time with them. I helped them learn the ropes at the seminary. I think they considered me a friend.

JC What was your impression of them?

PD Overall, I had a good impression. Nothing stood out. They were both very bright, observant, and socially adept guys. It was easy to see why the cardinal had shown an interest in them. Paul was the more subdued and polished of the pair. Jared was more outgoing and a little brash. You might say that he came across as somewhat…ambitious.

JC I believe you’re well aware that they’re both gay.

PD Certainly.

JC Were you aware of it then?

PD I had my strong suspicions.

JC Did you know they were a couple?

PD Some things are better overlooked when it’s not my business. That’s especially true when it comes to sexual minorities in light of the recent statements from church officials on those subjects. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” has applications beyond the US military.

JC Was the cardinal aware?

PD I’m sorry, I’m just not in a position to comment on that.

JC So much for the past. What’s the future hold for Father Peter Duncan?

PD One thing is certain: I’m not going to remain on as the cardinal’s personal secretary forever. I already see signs that he’s starting to prepare some possible replacements. That’s perfectly fine with me. What I would like to do is head home to California and do the kinds of pastoral ministry I was ordained for. I’m afraid I’ve been a functionary for too long. My pastoral experience is somewhat lacking. I need to make up for that.

JC No plans to be made bishop some day?

PD [Laughs] Most priests, including myself, probably fantasize about what they’d do if they were in charge. I don’t think there’s any harm in imagining the future, so long as it doesn’t cause you to be discontent in the present. I know that several of the cardinal’s protégés have become bishops. I know that likely includes me. It’s not something that I’m striving toward. I’ve seen the bishops’ job, and, frankly, if it were up to me, I’d rather not. If I am appointed bishop, fine. If not, fine, too. It’s not something I’m going to lose any sleep over either way.

JC So, where do you see yourself in five years?

PD As a priest in a parish. Perhaps even as pastor of a parish. I can’t imagine anything more rewarding than that, at this point.

JC One last question about Peter Duncan the man. So far, your character has appeared in two of the upcoming novels in the We Are Not Saints series. Are there any surprises in store for us regarding your character?

PD Not that I’m aware of right now. But, even if there were any surprises, it wouldn’t be very diplomatic of me to tell you, would it?

JC [Laughs] You have me there, Father. I just hope that these books will be out in the marketplace very soon so our followers will be able to discover these things for themselves. Thank you for visiting with us, Father. It’s been a real pleasure.

We’ve been talking with Father Peter Duncan, one of the cast of characters from the We Are Not Saints series. If you’d like to comment on this interview, or ask either of us a question, just click on the little speech bubble icon at the bottom of the page to leave your comment. You can also email Father Peter directly at this address:

Email Father Peter: peter.duncan@wearenotsaints.net

Our guest next time on Meet the Cast will be Monsignor David Yates, the Vicar General of the Diocese of San Luis Obispo, and Bishop Mickleson’s right-hand man. It should be interesting to hear about what it’s like to administer a diocese.

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