Aalst (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 young worker, leads a wildcat strike.
She enlists Father Adolf Daens' help. Daens has published an article on working conditions, it has an axplosive 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 compaign to discredit the priest (local complicity, church hierarchy and a 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...