The trial of Father Dillingham [first edition]

Jim Dillingham, an ex-priest who removed his collar when he was revealed to be the author of a pseudonymous book which argued against the notion of original sin. He goes to live in Dublin in a flat that has a strange array of tenants, who become his friends. There is the homosexual couple, Eddie and Maurice, a retired opera singer known as The La, who is also a kleptomaniac, and Eddie's sister, Grace, a woman to whom Jim was attracted before becoming a priest and who had remained a supportive presence in his life. His friendship with this disparate group of people has taught him to be more tolerant of human failings. Broderick had a keen appreciation of the ability of priests to transcend their human frailties and bring comfort to those suffering from doubt and resentment. The human weaknesses never disqualify them from Broderick's sympathy.