NEW YORK (NY)
New York Times
July 24, 2020
By Patricia Gallagher Marchant (and three other writers)
Readers share their stories of growing up in the Catholic church and of the culture that allowed the abuse to happen.
This article (Pray for Your Poor Uncle, by Elizabeth Bruenig [Sunday Review, July 19]) shows the insidious way predatory priests weaseled their way into families at a time in history when sexual violation was not on the radar. The psychological abuse is so creepy and deep. The isolation and secrecy are deadly.
I was sexually abused by a charismatic Catholic priest who befriended my dad, drank with him and groomed my family before going on to rape me at 7 and countless other children.
Capturing the raw pain is hard, but the systemic piece is huge: one targeted family, feeling unique yet creeped out, surrounded by Catholics who are wowed by the hierarchy. The family and the victim then have to sort and sift alone. But when support and courage emerge as well as public support and courage, victims speak out.
Multiply this story by thousands, and the truth is revealed once again.
Patricia Gallagher Marchant
Franklin, Wis.
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