We may pray for the terrestrial life of a horse, but not for its eternal life – that would surely be verging on heresy.

A good death for a man means a death in communion with God, a promise of eternity. “I see no objection to praying for its happiness – it might well make it docile and of greater use to its owner – but I am not sure what you mean by a good death in the case of a horse.

“I was thinking less of the use of a horse to its master than for its happiness – and even for a good death.”

I must admit, however, that there is no record of miracles in the case of inanimate objects…' The fathers teach us that God created animals for man’s use, and a long life of service for a horse is as desirable in the eyes of God as a long life for my Mercedes, which I am afraid, looks like failing me. “For the terrestrial life,” the bishop answered without hesitation, “no – a prayer would be perfectly allowable. “Would you consider it heretical to pray to God for the life of a horse?” Plus introduction.“Monsignor,” he said, “there is one question I have often asked myself, a question that is perhaps likely to occur more frequently to a countryman than to a city dweller.” He hesitated like a swimmer on a cold brink. Evening sessionĨ:00 – Film: Monsignor Quixote (Euston Films, 1987, 120 mins) Greene and Christopher Neame adapted the novel into a television film starring Alec Guinness and Leo McKern, plus several other notable actors including Ian Richardson and Graham Crowden. He tells the story that lies behind The Mill, of long forgotten poetry, and of ancestors, of dreams and of treasure.

9:45 – Our Thespians in Havana: Filming ‘Our Man’ in early-Revolutionary Cuba: Festival Director Christopher Hull (Chester Uni) reveals the local sensitivities about how their island would be portrayed in Carol Reed’s production, just four months after the 1959 Cuban Revolution.ġ1:15 – Greene in the stalls: Theatre Director Svetlana Dimcovic reflects on Greene’s plays and their relevance to audiences today, recent revivals, and the power of Greene to make us feel he is in the stalls with us today.Ģ:30 – Ian Fleming’s and Graham Greene’s Intertextual Thrillers: Lucas Townsend (Roehampton University) identifies the remarkable similarities and surprises between their character types, plot directions, and recurrent symbols across their works.Ĥ:00 – Graham Greene, A Teller of Tales and The Mill – His First Story?: Philip Hormbrey uncovered two works in 2021, The Mill and A Dream, which he believes are Greene’s earliest publications.

Monsignor quixote 1987