OE

As adumbrations are faint images, real or metaphorical, option A does not really fit in the context of this sentence. Option B refers to lovers or patrons of the arts and does not fit into the existing structure of the sentence either and so must be eliminated. Peccadilloes (C) or minor infractions on the slightly depraved side, would, however, give parishioners good reason to let the pastor's comments on their shortcomings go in one ear and out the other without going so far as to galvanizing them to leave the church.
Chit-chat (D) refers to idle conversation among a few individuals, but here we have a pastor addressing his congregation, regaling rather than chatting with them. There is no indication from the passage that the pastor is guilty of invective or rough or crude speech, so option E must be eliminated. Invective (E) would not, at any rate, fit grammatically within the existing sentence. Cant (F), or overstated and somewhat hypocritical statements supporting morality and piety does fit the context of the passage and is the correct answer.