A Priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish.  A leading local politician and member of the  congregation was chosen to make the  presentation and to give a little speech  at the dinner.

However, he was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his own few words while they waited:
'I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here.  I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place.

The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it.  He had stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, taken illegal drugs, and gave VD to his sister. I was appalled.

But as the days went on I learned that my  people were not all like that, and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish, full of good and loving people.'...

Just as the Priest finished his talk, the  politician arrived full of apologies at  being late.  He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his  talk: 'I'll never forget the first day  our Parish Priest arrived,' said  the politician. 'In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him  for confession.