GR Father Rapier's sermon

[jbor]

    "To believe each of Them *will* personally die is also to believe that
    Their system will die - that some chance of renewal, some
    dialectic, is still operating in History. To affirm Their mortality
    is to affirm Return. I have been pointing out certain obstacles in the
    way of Return. . . . " It sounds like a disclaimer, and the priest
    sounds afraid. (540)

Who are "They" supposed to be? A band of evil atheists who rule the planet?

best