Angels & Demons

This is from Angels & Demons by Dan Brown.  (I would have made it my quote, but it was too long so I just made it a post).  

A couple months back, on a peaceful afternoon inside Vatican City, Chartrand had bumped into the camerlengo coming across the grounds.  The camerlengo had apparently recognized Chartrand as a new guard and invited him to accompany him on a stroll.  They had talked about nothing in particular, and the camerlengo made Chartrand feel immediately at home.
"Father," Chartrand said, "may I ask you a strange question?"
The camerlengo smiled. "Only if I may give you a strange answer."
Chartrand laughed. "I have asked every priest I know, and I still don't understand."
"What troubles you?" The camerlengo led the way in short quick strides, his frock kicking out in front of him as he walked. His black, crepe-soul shoes seemed befitting, Chartrand thought, like reflections of the man's essence...modern but humble, and showing signs of wear. 
Chartrand took a deep breath. "I don't understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing."
The camerlengo smiled. "You've been reading Scripture."
"I try."
"You are confused because the Bible describes God as an omnipotent and benevolent deity."
"Exactly."
"Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning."
"I understand the concept. It's just...there seems to be a contradiction."
"Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness..."
"Exactly!" Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. "Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning.  If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?"
The camerlengo frowned. "Would He?"
Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask? "Well...if God loves us, and He can protect  us, He would have to.  It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring or benevolent and powerless to help." 
"Do you have children, Lieutenant?"
Chartrand flushed. "No, signore."
"Imagine you had an eight-year-old son...would you love him?"
"Of course."
"Would you let him skateboard?"
Chartrand did a double take.  The camerlengo always seemed oddly "in touch" for a clergyman.  "Yeah, I guess," Chartrand said. "Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful."
"So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?"
"I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean."
"But what if he fell and skinned his knee?"
"He would learn to be more careful."
The camerlengo smiled. "So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?"
"Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn."
The camerlengo nodded. "Exactly."