Religion: Dominican Looks at the U.S.

Raymond Leopold Bruckberger, a French Dominican friar, is an explosive combination of scholar, priest and chevalier: a contemplative and cultured man who has also done violent deeds with machine gun and typewriter. In World War II, Father Bruckberger enlisted as a poilu, later volunteered for the French Commandos. He was seriously wounded, twice captured by the Germans (both times he managed to get away) and became Chaplain General of the Resistance. At the liberation of Paris, while German snipers were still firing inside the Cathedral of Notre Dame, he welcomed General de Gaulle into the church for a service of Thanksgiving....