Range author tackles controversial topic

MINNESOTA
Hibbing Daily Tribune

Posted: Sunday, January 3, 2016

by Tony Potter Staff Writer tpotter@hibbingdailytribune.net

HOYT LAKES — An author with Iron Range connections has published his fourth book.
Jim Koepke, who grew up in Hoyt Lakes, has released the novel “Confessions of a Priest.” It mirrors the sexual abuse crisis and situation that occurred recently at the St. Paul Archdiocese.

The story begins with a local parish priest confronting his bishop about his handling of someone accused of sexual abuse. Although he had nothing to do with it, the parish priest’s life is turned upside down as he needs to cope with the turmoil caused by the occurrence.

“The book is not a hit piece on the church or priests,” Koepke said. “In fact, I have an extremely positive review written by a Catholic priest as my story details how to embrace a negative situation and focus on making something positive come out of it.”

The reason he wrote the book was because there had been so much press about sexual abuse in the Catholic church during the last several years.

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