The elderly Italian man went to his parish priest and
asked if he would hear his confession. The priest
assured him that he would, and the two took up the
customary positions on either side of the divider.

"Well, Father," began the old man, "At the beginning
of World War II a beautiful woman knocked on my door
and asked me to hide her from the Germans. So I hid
her in my attic, and they never found her."

"That's a wonderful thing," interjected the priest,
"But it's certainly nothing you need to confess."

"It's worse, Father," continued the elderly fellow, "I
was weak and told her that she had to repay me for
hiding in the attic by providing me with sexual
favors."

The priest contemplated this disclosure for a minute
and then responded, "Well, it was a very difficult
time, and you took a very large risk. You would have
suffered terribly at their hands if the Germans had
found you hiding her. I know that God, in his wisdom
and mercy, will balance the good and the evil of your
acts, and judge you kindly."

"Thanks, Father," said the old man. "That's a load off
my mind. Can I ask another question?"

"Of course, my son," said the priest.

The old man asked, "Do I have to tell her that the war
is over?"
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