COMING OUT & COVERING UP: CATHOLIC PRIESTS TALK ABOUT SEX SCANDALS IN THE CHURCH [Paperback]

Lisa Rene Reynolds (Author), John P. Rutledge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

For the first time ever, we are able to glimpse behind the cloak of clergy privilege, to finally hear from the priests themselves on the pedophilia scandals that have rocked the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Renowned family therapist and counselor Lisa R. Reynolds, PhD, poses the questions we've all wanted to ask but were scared to - topics ranging from isolation and loneliness to masturbation and sexuality. With an introduction by best-selling author and priest Andrew Greeley, this book discusses the reality of daily life in the priesthood and presents an even-handed collection of the personal thoughts and reflections of practicing priests.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A one-of-a-kind...treasure trove of clerical reflections. -- Father Patrick Bascio, PhD

[A] remarkably candid snapshot of ordinary priests coping with post-scandal suspicions.... -- Father Lawrence Boadt, C.S.P.

[A]n important contribution to understanding the priesthood at this troubled time -- Father Andrew Greeley, PhD

From the Author

The idea for this book came from my own struggle to understand the escalation of sex scandals in the Catholic Church. Trying to be a good, practicing Catholic and raise my family in the same tradition has often left me confused and uneasy. Reading about the scandals and listening to the various dioceses’ responses left me with too many unanswered questions and concerns. Speaking with my own priest proved informative and helpful, yet this was too narrow to be indicative of the larger population of priests living through this crisis. I wanted to hear more perspectives and experiences from those who deal daily with the repercussions of these scandals. Not from the Pope or the Bishop or their mouthpieces, but from the everyday clergy who work in local parishes; those who dedicate their lives to doing God’s work. These are the people who hold the keys to understanding and change.

I used my graduate school research training to design a simple questionnaire that asked some of my deepest questions. I never expected the responses I received or the lengthy, personal revelations that accompanied the returned questionnaires.

What began as a personal quest for understanding turned out to be so much more. I was overwhelmed by the willingness of priests to be involved in this endeavor and amazed by the richness and depth of their thoughts and experiences. The clergy’s insight was remarkable and I was left with some incredible grains of wisdom and a greater degree of comfort.

I am eternally grateful to the priests who chose to be involved in this project, and I thank each of them for their time and thoughtful, candid responses. Without their honesty and shared experiences, this book could never have been written. Through this exploration, I hope you find some new hope for the Church, a strengthened faith, and some consolation in the goodness that dwells within the bad.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 76 pages
• Publisher: Dead End Street, LLC (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097484103X
• ISBN-13: 978-0974841038
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,558,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bland and Disappointing, September 30, 2009

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Paparika Jellybean (Boston Harbor) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: COMING OUT & COVERING UP: CATHOLIC PRIESTS TALK ABOUT SEX SCANDALS IN THE CHURCH (Paperback)

Not what you're hoping for, this book is mainly a compilation of everything we've already been told. It reaffirms many of the scandals that have titillated us in the tabloids, but offers little or nothing new, There are no shocking revelations here and it's not worth the candle.