But for all that a priest is looked upon without any contempt at all.

Why?
Because he's a spiritual father; because he begets spiritual children to God, and feeds and nourishes them.

Of course to an atheist this is nonsense; and even to an agnostic it's a very doubtful benefit.

But, my dear Monsignor, you must remember that these hardly exist amongst us.

The entire civilized world of to-day is as absolutely convinced of Heaven and Grace and the Church, and the havoc that Sin makes not only as regards the next world but in this--so absolutely convinced that he understands perfectly that a priest is far more productive of general good than a physical father possibly can be.