When Father John O'Conner announced tearfully that he was no longer their priest, the parish was astounded and shocked. Everyone loved this handsome man and no explanation was given why he was stepping down after years of faithful service. Tongues wagged and theories abounded. He was defrocked and must have committed a most mortal sin. The Vatican customarily transferred their wayward priests but defrocking was a terribly grievous punishment.

        Who was responsible? Was it one of the young ladies who seduced him? Did he offend the Bishop, the Cardinal, the Pope? Was he gay? Did he get caught with a young boy? In the absence of any explanation, imaginations ran amuck. Was he a renegade who defied Rome's authority? The priest volunteered no information and remained mute to all questions. He knew just as much as they about his fall from grace.

        To this day the good father had no clear reason why this calamity occurred particularly since the Church, a most unusual procedure, proffered no information. Here he was, 60 years old, with no useful skills other than a thorough education and an excellent background in languages, including Hebrew and Latin. He had no place to stay and no savings of significance, It was a desperate situation but he refused an appeal to the Supreme Authority. As regards the existence of God, he privately admitted to strong doubts that plagued him constantly, despite the teachings of the Church.

        The man carefully left most all the trappings of priesthood on the bed including the silver crucifix, badge of his calling. In a worn soft valise, he packed a single change of clothing and toilet accessories. The troubled man walked aimlessly for hours and stopped at a deserted park facing the harbor. He sat on a wooden bench and buried his head between his knees. A man approached and asked if he was ill; his accent was Germanic. He introduced himself as Hermann Gottleib, formerly of Darmstadt, Germany and a graduate of Buchenwald concentration camp.

        Hermann was not shy and, from the man's dress, wanted to know if he was speaking to a priest. Receiving an answer that he was a former priest, Hermann rejoindered his impression was that priests were priests for life.

        When John asked him if he was a religious man, Hermann vehemently denied the existence of God. After Buchenwald, there was no God, for the things he saw were clear proof of a non-existence of a Supreme Being.

        John broke down and tearfully related the circumstances surrounding his terrible and unfeeling rejection by the church, after 40 years of unquestioned obedience and service. Herman unknowingly assumed the role of Priest-Confessor. He recalled the writings of Heinrich Heine who stated that no Jew could believe in the divinity of another Jew. The mystery is why did Heine convert? The universe is so vast and we are a minuscule bit of dust in the nature of things. Our self-importance is merely an illusion. Perhaps we should worship the wonders of the universe such as gravity or the suns.

        Since Hermann was a practical man, an idea came to light. The Temple's Rabbi had died and despite many efforts the committee was unable to find anyone who would serve in a small shul with limited funds, comprising mostly elderly people. Jewish Law provides for small communities without a rabbi, as anyone could serve in this capacity.