Otessa, The Proselyte's Woman

There seems no way out of combusting in laughable moments, when the torched cultured cabin of Father Thomas' priestly life spirals, counterpoised and flamed by betraying hypocrisies, swarming illusions, frictional poverty, and gossiped pejoratives.
Thomas thought the question was, what gives, his oath or heart?
But maybe the more accurate question is, when Otessa, a passionate woman desperate for his love wants him, oath, or heart, which will cave?