How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph.)
Quote #1
He was driven by the presence of soldiers to the very place where he most wanted to be. He had avoided it for six years, but now it wasn't his fault—it was his duty to go there—it couldn't count as sin. (2.1.2)
The priest has avoided his daughter because he believes it would be wrong of him to enjoy the company of his child. He feels this enjoyment would mean that he disregards the sin that brought her into the world. But since he's going to the village out of necessity, his conscience isn't troubled this time. Intentions matter.
Quote #2
Now that he no longer despaired it didn't mean, of course, that he wasn't damned—it was simply that after a time the mystery became too great, a damned man putting God into the mouths of men: an odd sort of servant, that, for the devil. (2.1.4)
A little theology background: Catholicism doesn't hesitate to define certain actions as sins, but it refuses to judge individuals as definitely condemned. The Church has its official list of saints—i.e., souls in heaven—but it has no alternative list naming the residents of hell (which would probably be quite the roster). The priest suspects he's headed there, but he doesn't know that for sure.
Quote #3
He caught the look in the child's eyes which frightened him—it was as if a grown woman was there before her time, making her plans, aware of far too much. It was like seeing his own mortal sin look back at him, without contrition. (2.1.76)
As a first year philosophy major might say say, "That's deep." Do you think the priest is seeing something really there or is this perception all in his head?