# Father Forbes — The Damnation of Theron Ware character guide > Father Forbes in The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the priest, the Rev. Mr. Forbes **First appearance:** 0001-part-i-ii ## Snapshot A plump, urbane Catholic priest whose quiet erudition and easy disbelief quietly dismantle everything the young Methodist minister thought he believed. ## Who they are Father Forbes dines simply, reads widely, and receives Theron Ware with a politeness that is neither warm nor cold. He mentions Renan and the higher criticism as casually as the weather, and his indifference to dogma is more unsettling to Theron than any argument. He is the doorway through which Theron first glimpses a world of thought larger than Methodism, and he never once urges him through it. ## Relationships ### [Theron Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/theron_ware) _friendship_ Father Forbes acts as a sophisticated mentor to Theron, introducing him to Catholic intellectualism and liberal theology, but their bond is based on Theron's naive admiration. ### [Celia Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/celia_madden) _friendship_ Celia and Father Forbes share a close, cultured friendship based on their mutual love for art, music, and sophisticated conversation, often excluding Theron. ### [Dr. Ledsmar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/dr_ledsmar) _friendship_ Dr. Ledsmar and Father Forbes are intellectual sparring partners who debate science and religion with mutual respect, representing two sides of modern thought. ### [Theron Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/theron_ware) _friendship_ Father Forbes acts as a sophisticated mentor to Theron, introducing him to Catholic intellectualism and liberal theology, but their bond is based on Theron's naive admiration. ### [Theron Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/theron_ware) _friendship_ Father Forbes acts as a sophisticated mentor to Theron, introducing him to Catholic intellectualism and liberal theology, but their bond is based on Theron's naive admiration. ### [Dr. Ledsmar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/dr_ledsmar) _friendship_ Dr. Ledsmar and Father Forbes are intellectual sparring partners who debate science and religion with mutual respect, representing two sides of modern thought. ### [Celia Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/celia_madden) _friendship_ Celia and Father Forbes share a close, cultured friendship based on their mutual love for art, music, and sophisticated conversation, often excluding Theron. ### [Celia Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/celia_madden) _friendship_ Celia and Father Forbes share a close, cultured friendship based on their mutual love for art, music, and sophisticated conversation, often excluding Theron. ### [Dr. Ledsmar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/dr_ledsmar) _friendship_ Dr. Ledsmar and Father Forbes are intellectual sparring partners who debate science and religion with mutual respect, representing two sides of modern thought. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Performs the last rites for a dying man, tracing crosses of holy oil and reciting Latin prayers, observed by Theron. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-i-v) Performs the last rites for MacEvoy, engages Theron in conversation about the ceremony and his rule for night calls. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Mentioned as the source of Theron's inspiration regarding the Turanians; Theron sets out to visit him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Hosts Theron at dinner, dressed in a black silk house-gown, and engages in scholarly discussion. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Mentioned as not preaching; his pastoral role is discussed. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-i-x) Mentioned as someone Celia expects Theron to become friends with, and as a broad scholar. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Mentioned only in passing as someone Theron has not seen for weeks; not directly present in the chapter. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii) Mentioned by Theron as a Catholic priest who does not believe in certain things, illustrating Theron's roving thoughts about unfrocked clergy. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iii-xviii) His pastorate is across from where Theron walks; lights are visible in the upper rooms. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iii-xxi) Mentioned in the context of his relationship with Celia Madden. Theron seeks to understand the nature of their connection, and Ledsmar uses him as an example of a priest who attracts women. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iii-xxiii) Father Forbes orders beer, expounds on the Catholic Church's adaptability and social role, and dismisses theological debates. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iv-xxvi) Hosts Theron for dinner, listens to his plans with polite indifference, and reveals news about the Madden family's troubles. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iv-xxviii) Theron recalls his glowing tributes to Celia and suspects an intimate relationship between them. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iv-xxix) Accompanies Celia to the hotel, registers her under her name, enters through the front entrance. ### [XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/chapters/part-iv-xxx) Theron sees Father Forbes leave the hotel, which triggers his jealousy and reflections on the priest's relationship with Celia. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters/father_forbes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_damnation_of_theron_ware_se/characters