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Based upon the true story of Father Roman Weinzoepfel’s ordeal in Evansville, Indiana, in 1842, McMullen’s telling chronicles a turbulent though largely forgotten period in American history.
This account of a missionary priest, a lonely married woman, a jealous husband, an ambitious newspaper editor, a wily attorney, an autocratic bishop, the venerable Sister of Providence, Mother Theodore Guérin, the politically-savvy First Lady, Sarah Childress Polk, and a host of others, makes for a monumental American story, revealing the humanness, humility, and holiness of the country and the church.
Nevertheless, as fear and prejudice lead to hatred and injustice, faith and fortitude give way to hope and charity.
“McMullen adroitly takes us back in time to the antebellum American frontier and won't let us return until he has staggered us with the tale of a Catholic priest charged with a heinous crime. The way McMullen uses fascinating characters, gripping dialogue and detailed description to bring an earlier America back to life reminds me of the works of John Jakes. A rending story of betrayal, ROMAN is an important work.” - Mike Whicker, author of Invitation to Valhalla (iUniverse, 2001).
"Father Roman Weinzoepfel found himself having to adjust to America in a time when immigrants, particularly the Irish and German Catholics, were looked upon with suspicion. When one of his parishioners shocks her family by marrying outside the Faith, young Father Roman tries to make the situation bearable by ensuring the future Catholicity of her children. However, the woman shocks the community when she charges that the priest raped her when she came to church for confession.
“ROMAN takes the reader through an account of the trial, the ensuing anti-Catholic sentiment that plagued the town, and Father Weinzoepfel’s fate, the outcome of which might have differed had he given in to the temptation to break the seal of the confessional. McMullen’s work offers an interesting historical perspective on religious intolerance in early America. A timely read.”
- Kathryn Lively (Little Flowers, Highbridge Press, 2000)
ROMAN is a tale set in the often neglected and complicated era of American history during the 1840s where a xenophobic public finds itself at odds with the increasing numbers of Irish and German Catholic immigrants washing ashore. Meanwhile, in the frontier town of Evansville, Indiana, an Alsatian missionary priest, the Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel, is charged with the rape of one of his parishioners while hearing her confession. The year: 1842.
"Here is a remarkable tale of crime, prejudice, and faith in frontier Indiana – all the more remarkable for its basis in a real event and a real priest whose convictions were tested in the most extraordinary way. ROMAN will appeal not only to those who care about the early history of the Church in America, but to anyone who appreciates people of principle."
- Thomas Kunkel, Dean, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, and author of Enormous Prayers: A Journey into the Priesthood, (Westview/HarperCollins, 1998), and Genius in Disguise: Harold Ross of the New Yorker (Random House, 1995).
"McMullen's account of a missionary priest, a lonely married woman, a jealous husband, an ambitious newspaper editor, an autocratic bishop, the venerable Sister of Providence, Mother Theodore Guérin, the politically-savvy First Lady, Sarah Childress Polk, and a host of others, makes for a monumental American story."
- Judy Lyden, Columnist, Scripps Howard News Service.
"ROMAN is a highly instructive novel about a turbulent period in American history. Told through the eyes of a Catholic priest, the story is not limited to the Indiana frontier, but ultimately touches upon the Presidency. A must read for History buffs and anyone of faith, Catholic or otherwise."
- Guerin A. Bernardin, Jr., KHS, Parish Administrator of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville, Indiana.
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