Patrick O'Connell shook his head sadly as he laid down his copy of the Irish Times. More of his fellow priests accused of immoral practices. It was a tragedy for the church that so many of these poor, tormented souls chose to take Holy Orders as a means of exercising their sinful lust. In the 25 years since he'd made his commitment at the age of 16 Patrick had rigorously honoured the vows he'd taken. Of course he was human, and a man, born of sin, and like any other man The Devil had tried to tempt him from the course of righteousness in his thoughts and dreams, but he was proud that he had never strayed from the path of The Lord. He glanced at his watch - it was almost time to take confession.
Monday lunchtime was usually a quiet session, and on a particularly warm day he sat somewhat drowsily in the small stall for perhaps ten minutes before he heard the curtain on the other side being pulled across. Sliding open the grille, Patrick rested his elbow on it and wished the penitent a good morning.
"Good morning Father. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
The priest recognised the slightly lispy voice of Mrs Riordan. A lady of perhaps 50 years of age, married to a rather older man who always seemed drunk and half-asleep on the occasions when O'Connell encountered him. He hadn't given confession in months, and was surely long overdue. "May The Lord help you to confess your sins." Janet Riordan was a redhead, short in stature but big in bust and behind, not exactly pretty but with something about her that caused men to cast licentious glances in her direction. If any of them had ever done more than that towards her, Patrick hadn't heard of it. Even he had experienced the odd, momentary, sinful reflection on her charms, cast into his mind by foul Lucifer of course.
Mrs Riordan cleared her throat nervously then began. "Forgive me Father for I have sinned. It has been two weeks since my last confession. Last Wednesday I blasphemed when I burned my hand on the cooker. I have lied to my husband three times since my last confession, telling him I had a headache when I didn't. I've been rude to him on several occasions. But worst of all, Father, I...I have had impure thoughts, every day for weeks now, and I didn't confess them last time."
Behind the screen, O'Connell raised an eyebrow. "And why was that? You know you must confess all your sins on each occasion."
"Yes, I know that Father, but the reason was I was scared to, because, well, because you were the subject of them Father." She heard the rustle of clothing and a creak from the seat in the priest's stall, perhaps as he reacted in surprise at her words. Before he could speak in response she pressed on. "I have this recurring fantasy Father, and it's always exactly the same. I find myself standing outside the door of your vestry here at the church, I don't know why but I know I need to see you. I try the door and it's unlocked, but when I open it you're in the middle of changing into your vestments, and you're standing there in just your shirt and underpants." She paused. "Father? Are you..."
"Yes, I'm still here Mrs Ri...I'm still here my child, carry on with your confession." His voice sounded a little hoarse.