An elderly Frenchman who is a Catholic goes to confession¹ and says to the Priest: "Father, I have been a very bad man. I have come to seek forgiveness for my sins".

The Priest can see that the man has a great deal on his mind and says: "Tell me what it is my son. It cannot be that bad".

The man replies: "In the Second World War a young Jewish lady came to me and asked me to hide her from the Germans. I did and made a place for her in the attic²".

"But my son", replied the Priest "that is an act of great kindness for which you will be rewarded".

"Yes", said the man "but I was lonely and in order to let her stay, I demanded sexual favors from her".

"Oh. I see", said the Priest. "But my son, times were so hard then. You sought solace³ in the woman you were protecting. You are forgiven".

"Thank you", said the man "that has been a great weight off of my shoulders. While I'm here, do you think that I should tell her the war has ended?"