Fr. James Cummings and Fr. Paul Grady, two Catholic priests, attempt to form an independent association of priests within their diocese. Bishop Lawrence Keane, their bishop, hears of this association which would pose a threat to his authority. Such an association could spread to other dioceses worldwide and thereby hinder Keane's promotion to cardinal. Keane dangles clerical promotions in front of Grady and Cummings to drop the priests' association idea. Grady jumps at the opportunity. Since Cummings does not, Keane relieves Cummings of his priestly duties within his diocese. Once Fr. Frank Gallo, the pastor of Sacred Heart parish where Cummings served, learned of the scheme to get rid of Cummings, he takes action. Gallo, along with Mitsy Hebert (the rectory’s housekeeper), execute a plan to restore Cummings to active duty within the diocese and at the same time to topple Keane and the corrupt clerical appointment system which he nurtured.