An elderly priest recruits a young woman as housekeeper in the presbytery he shares with two young priests, but temptation and jealousy soon sew discord and doubt in some minds.

Three priests share a rectory. Father Perfect, the senior priest, (Alistair Sim) is a benevolent leader, if slightly wistful for the good old days before parishioners became more judgmental of the church. Father Michael Daley (Jeremy Brett), the youngest, is suffering a crisis of faith which comes to a head with the death of Sister Anuncia. Father Jeffrey Vernon, the least dynamic of the priests, comes to realize there is no moving up the ladder for him: he will always be pastoral assistant, never pastor of his own parish. Into this mix comes Christine, a young non Catholic woman in need of a job. She becomes the cook/housekeeper but herself has an anguished past. Her entry into their lives is sure to impact the future of all three priests.—Caroline Dunbar