The Bishop's Man

We find out that the Father is currently over 50, has no parents to speak of, and is a "dean" at a Catholic university. His father was presumably an American soldier during WWII and his mom was an Englishwoman. He seems to just do the bare minimum as a priest, it doesn't sound like his dream job.

"...I had, nevertheless, achieved what I believed to be a sustainable spirituality and an ability to elaborate upon it with minimal cant and hypocrisy"

Another important character described in the opening chapter is the Bishop. He seems to be wary of his duties and like Father MacAskill, not very enthusiastic. The Bishop has a sideboard full of whisky which is a good indication of his commitment to the Catholic faith. Also, he is described as wearing "...running shoes, cords and a cardigan." and his hair is disorderly, another indication he may not really care.

Linden MacIntyre uses direct speech to give more detail and character to his protagonist. As said before, Father MacAskill doesn't seem to want to be a priest very much. The following passage might indicate that he doesn't really know why he wanted to be a priest in the first place. I believe if your going to dedicate your life for God, you should have some unbreakable reason.

“I think I want to be a priest,” I told him, heart pounding.

He listened quietly, but in the manner of one who already knew far more than I was telling him. He was smiling, but the eyes were not encouraging. “Why would you want to be a priest?”

"I might need time to think before I answer,” I said carefully.

Another passage which MacIntyre uses well to create mood and reveal character is the following.

“I don’t care what you think you saw.”

The bishop’s neck is pulsing, a purple swelling throbbing at the centre of his forehead, outraged roseola nose aglow.

“I know what I saw.”

“You think you know.”

“I know.”

“Our eyes play tricks.”

“I know.”

“We know nothing. We believe. We have faith. It is our only source of hope. But that isn’t the point. You had no goddamned business spying.”

Spying? I just stare.

“I sent you there to help them out, not to snoop.”