Racy Novel Scuppers Bulgarians Chance As Vatican Ambassador, Jakarta Globe, August 7, 2012

Racy Novel Scuppers Bulgarian's Chance As Vatican Ambassador

Jakarta Globe
August 7, 2012

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/racy-novel-scuppers-bulgarians-chance-as-vatican-ambassador/536431#Scene_1

Marichkov had been rejected over a graphic scene in his successful 2005 novel "Clandestination" Marichkov had been rejected over a graphic scene in his successful 2005 novel "Clandestination"

Marichkov had been rejected over a graphic scene in his successful 2005 novel "Clandestination" Marichkov had been rejected over a graphic scene in his successful 2005 novel "Clandestination"

The Vatican said Tuesday it has not accepted Bulgaria's proposed ambassador to the Holy See, apparently rejecting diplomat Kiril Marichkov for writing a racy novel featuring gay sex and prostitution.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said that "the proposal has not been agreed to," leading observers to surmise that Marichkov had been rejected over a graphic scene in his successful 2005 novel "Clandestination".

The book, based on the lives of illegal immigrants in Italy, features one scene where a desperate young eastern European man prostitutes himself with a man he picks up on a Rome street, before begging God's forgiveness.

Lombardi would not comment on Sofia's chosen candidate for the post, but confirmed there was no current Bulgarian ambassador at the Vatican.

"It's essential that there be an agreement before an appointment," he said.

Bulgarian foreign ministry spokesman Dimitar Yaprakov told AFP that Sofia, which has been without a Holy See ambassador for months, was still waiting for an official response to the proposal made in March.

Italy's Repubblica newspaper reported on Monday that Sofia's Archbishop Janusz Bolonek had drawn his superiors' attention to the controversial parts of the novel, scuppering the 39-year-old Marichkov's chances of being appointed.

Marichkov had dedicated the book to his wife, children and God.

Bulgaria has reportedly refused to propose another ambassador, creating a diplomatic stand-off with the powerful Vatican state, which demands that its representatives toe the line on issues such as homosexuality and cohabitation.

According to an investigation by weekly magazine Panorama published widely in Italy in 2011, numerous priests within the Vatican and its pontifical universities are gay.