Francis Chisholm is a kind and modest priest whose individuality and straightforwardness make him unpopular with the clergy. To get rid of the “inconvenient” priest, he is sent to China. For more than thirty years, Chisholm supported the mission despite extreme poverty, civil war, plague, and the hostility of his superiors. Fighting foolishness, fanaticism, and cruelty, Father Chisholm receives keys to the Kingdom of Heaven that can’t be forged, bought, or stolen.
Cronin’s novel is an engaging, energetic, colorful story about a deeply spiritual person who brings goodness into an imperfect world.
“The Keys of the Kingdom” is one of the best modern English-language film adaptations, with the incomparable Gregory Peck in the lead role.