There are certain professions that require a lot of discretion on the part of the individual. In many cases, they may be privy to certain information that is not only considered to be confidential, it could actually harm the person if it happened to get out and made public. We might automatically think about lawyers or accountants when we consider this fact but in reality, even a priest may fall into that category. After all, they are privy to certain information and it is imperative that they keep it quiet. Of course, as you will see in the following joke, sometimes their hands are tied.
A Priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner. However, he was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his own few words while they waited:
“Thank Goodness we Catholics have a wonderful sense of humor! I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it.”
“He had stolen money from his parents; embezzled from his employer; had an affair with his boses wife; had sex with his boses daughter on numerous occasions, taken illegal drugs; was arrested several times for public nudity and gave VD to his sister-in-law. I was appalled that one person could do so many awful things. But as the days went on, I learned that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.”
Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his talk: Ill never forget the first day our parish Priest arrived, said the politician. In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him for confession.
