Le défroqué (1954)

In 1945, at Oflag XIII, as the camp chaplain lies dying, he reveals that one of the prisoners had told him he was a priest and asks to receive the last rites, without compelling him to do so. Out of compassion, Maurice Morand reveals his secret to his fellow prisoners and gives the dying man the sacrament. One of the prisoners, Gérard Lacassagne, influenced by his encounter with Morand, decides to devote his life to the Church. After their release, despite his family’s and former fiancée’s disapproval, Lacassagne perseveres, helped by his seminary superior, a former comrade of Maurice Morand’s, and Morand’s mother. Morand, reinstated as a professor at the Sorbonne, publishes a book that directly attacks religion, and his friendship with the future seminarian becomes a burden to the latter. However, the young novice sets himself the goal of bringing Morand back to the right path and makes repeated attempts to persuade him. After his ordination, Lacassagne pays Morand one last visit, accompanied by the prayers of all their loved ones (see the Communion of Saints). The two men argue; the former priest strikes his friend and reopens an old wound, causing his death. As he is about to die, Lacassagne absolves Morand, who is remorseful and thus regains his faith, but must also answer for killing his friend before human justice.