I don't find it odd that Forest wrote good and interesting non-Catholic characters; surely we would hardly still be reading and discussing her books if they were that didactic. I like reading about Patrick because he is interesting.

I think speculating about Forest's life is probably inappropriate. She was a very private person, and there's no evidence on which to base it, so I think it's best to stick to the books. On which, I'm interested you think there is a whole thrust to the series. I read them as much more episodic than that.