This movie did not receive good reviews because it is somewhat simplistic and it criticizes the Roman Catholic Church; but it is a fairly good drama. We are introduced to Christian Slater who is a priest who is good in handling the business ends of the church, but not its religious mission. He enjoys the riches of the church, the costly car, gold watch, expensive wines and foods. He is called by a priest of a very poor parish who is accused of murder. The priest remembers Slater from school as a man who could amount to something. In contrast to Slater, this priest is very pious, more pious even than his bishop who wants to see his case handled as quickly as possible so as not to embarrass the church, even if the priest is found guilty. The priest could prove his innocence if he would reveal a confession that he heard, but insists, despite the admonitions of Slater and his bishop, not to violate the sanctity of the confessional. Two more murders follow, and Slater, despite his inadequacies, burdened by his conscious, decides to assume the parish priest's duties, after his presumed suicide. He realizes that a pious man like the priest who refused to reveal a confession would never violate church law against suicides. Slater also refuses to obey his bishop, gives up the above-mentioned accoutrements, and goes off to solve the three murders.