Nettie was quiet as she stared up at him. She squeezed his hands again and let go of one to touch the side of his face.

"Malachi..." it was rare she used his name but it was important to let him know what she was going to say was sincere and important.

"The church is only as important as it needs to be for you. If it doesn't make you happy, or you can't be who you want to be under it's roof.. you should never force yourself to stay. I don't want you being a priest or even a catholic if it doesn't give you happiness or the guidance you're looking for. So if you want to go, do it. Just think on it first, so you have no regrets alright? It is easier to give it a week then trying to get back in, I assume.." she smiled softly and held his hands between hers.

"You have no reason to be so worried about how I feel about this. I think you're a wonderful priest. But that's because you are a wonderful person. It has nothing to do with the church, from what I remember you've always been this way."