How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"But you promise to begin restoring Man's control over Nature. But who will govern the use of the power to control natural forces? Who will use it? To what end? How will you hold him in check? Such decisions can still be made. But if you and your group don't make them now, others will soon make them for you. Mankind will profit, you say. By whose sufferance? (21.64)
Dom Paulo questions who will control scientific knowledge if it's returned to the world. The key question in this quote seems to be, "How will you hold him in check?" Could Dom Paulo be suggesting that religion is that how?
Quote #8
The Order conformed to the times, to an age of uranium and steel and flaring rocketry, amid the growl of heavy industry and the high thin whine of star drive converters. The Order conformed—at least in superficial ways. (25.139)
The technology might change, the building might finally be up to code, but this is the same old abbey as we saw in Francis's day. Zerchi seems to find comfort in the everlasting nature of the abbey, but should the reader also find comfort in it?
Quote #9
"We shouted it loudly enough—God's to be obeyed by nations as by men. Caesar's to be God's policeman, not His plenipotentiary successor, nor His heir. (26.13)
The problems Dom Paulo saw for his religion have come to pass. The Church is no longer able to keep either scientific or political forces in check. It has lost the power to alter the course of humanity. Luckily for Dom Paulo, the abbey is Zerchi's problem now.