Father Gregory Lind, a young Catholic priest, meets divorced social worker Pamela Gibson in an Albuquerque hospital where a man, whom they have been trying to help, dies of gunshot wounds after an attempted robbery. Father Lind, who is strongly opposed to abortion, argues with Pamela about the fate of the young man's pregnant 15-year-old girl friend. The girl miscarries, however, and Father Lind goes to comfort Pamela, but his attempt at consolation leads him to make love to her, and they begin an affair despite his vow of celibacy. Finding it difficult to work within the confines of the church and the conservative Father Schaeffer, Father Lind visits his domineering mother and spinster sister, who rebuke him for his doubts about the church. Later that night, he is propositioned by a prostitute and beaten up by a group of hoodlums who call him a homosexual. After taking a leave of absence from the church, Father Lind goes to see Pamela, realizes his love for her, and decides to leave the priesthood immediately, even though he faces excommunication.