Alost, Belgium in 1893: in the factories men, women and children work 13 hours a day in atrocious conditions. There is a rising number of fatal accidents. Nette, a younger worker, leads a wildcat strike. She enlistst Father Adolph Daens' help. Daens has an article published on working conditions. It has an explosive effect. With repercussions all the way to Parliament. A Committee of Inquiry is set up despite the opposition of Charles Woeste, President of the Conservative Catholic Party. Woeste organizes a campaign to discredite the Priest : local complicity, Church hierarchy, and the diplomatic offensive led by King Leopold II himself resulting in Pope Leo XIII's repudiation of Father Daens. After a final onslaught by Charles Woeste, Father Daens is obliged to choose between the Priesthood and his political activities. Nette, who had always been at his side, persuades him not to give up but to continue the struggle.