Hiding From the Enemy

An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Monte Cassino went to the local church for confession. When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said, “Father, during World War II, a beautiful woman knocked on my door and asked me to hide her from the enemy. So I hid her in my attic.”

“But my son,” the priest replied, “that was a wonderful thing you did! You have no need to ask forgiveness for such an act.”

“Well, there’s a little more to it, Father,” said the man. “She repaid me with sexual favors.”

The priest was silent for a moment and then spoke. “By doing what you did, you were both in great danger. Two people under such stressful circumstances can be very tempted to give in to the pleasures of the flesh. However, if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven.”

“Thank you, Father,” said the man. “That’s a great load off my mind. But I do have one final question.”

“And what is that?” asked the priest.

“Do I have to tell her the war is over?”