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A Predator Priest
Much has been written about priests and pedophilia, but not about particular priests and their particular victims. This is the story about Father Bernard Bissonnette, a priest from Grosvenordale, Connecticut and the fifty-year path of destruction and heartache he left in his wake. There were dozens of victims, first in his home state and then in New Mexico, where the Catholic Church sent him to be “cured,” only to recycle him in parishes throughout the state. It highlights the Deary family of Putnam, Connecticut, whose eldest son, Tommy – the second of their thirteen children – was one of Bissonnette’s earliest victims, and who, after struggling for many years with depression, marital problems, and his own sexual identity, eventually killed himself. And it follows the tireless efforts of his youngest brother to overcome the obstructionism and hostility of the Catholic Church and track down Father Bissonnette, confront him with his misdeeds, then bring him to justice – or at least get him thrown out of the Church.
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 30, 2011
This is a Kindle "Single." I guess it's a good idea. Reads like a nice, in-depth New Yorker article (a good thing.) (People unfamiliar with Bissonette's story should stop reading here.) The story follows the tragic career of a very troubled priest, Father Barney Bissonette, who, unconscionably, was moved from one parish to another in order for the Catholic Church to hide Bissonette's proclivity for molesting church acolytes.
One family of thirteen -- despite several very dangerous pregnancies the Church had insisted the parents not use birth-control as being too "selfish" -- was particularly hard hit and Thomas Deary, one of the older boys,committed suicide, unable to bear the shame and secrecy of it all. So three of his brothers decide to get even with Bissonette, now retired and ill in New Mexico.
The banality of the situation (or in Hannah Arendt's view, evil) is driven home sharply by the prosaic nature of the settlements agreed to by the Church: While Bissonnette cost the Santa Fe Archdiocese (or its insurers) $2 million or more in settlements, the individual payouts were actually quite modest. As always, the law broke things down very pragmatically: fondling (a one-time occurrence brought about $25,000) was worth less than oral sex, oral sex less than anal sex, anal sex less than anal sex with bleeding. Also factored in was the frequency and duration of the abuse. Not only the Church but its victims -- more determined to avoid embarrassment than to cash in to the max -- wanted these matters disposed of quietly and quickly. So the highest awards went for only around $300,000. This may explain why no one ever wrote much about Bissonnette; when it comes to public censure, he got pretty much of a pass.
One family of thirteen -- despite several very dangerous pregnancies the Church had insisted the parents not use birth-control as being too "selfish" -- was particularly hard hit and Thomas Deary, one of the older boys,committed suicide, unable to bear the shame and secrecy of it all. So three of his brothers decide to get even with Bissonette, now retired and ill in New Mexico.
The banality of the situation (or in Hannah Arendt's view, evil) is driven home sharply by the prosaic nature of the settlements agreed to by the Church: While Bissonnette cost the Santa Fe Archdiocese (or its insurers) $2 million or more in settlements, the individual payouts were actually quite modest. As always, the law broke things down very pragmatically: fondling (a one-time occurrence brought about $25,000) was worth less than oral sex, oral sex less than anal sex, anal sex less than anal sex with bleeding. Also factored in was the frequency and duration of the abuse. Not only the Church but its victims -- more determined to avoid embarrassment than to cash in to the max -- wanted these matters disposed of quietly and quickly. So the highest awards went for only around $300,000. This may explain why no one ever wrote much about Bissonnette; when it comes to public censure, he got pretty much of a pass.
May 29, 2018
Interesting quick read about one priest's sexual abuse. Parts seemed long and drawn out and repetitious.
Read
May 29, 2013I chose not to rate this story because it just doesn't seem to fit. What are you rating? The writing? The plot line?
As a Catholic, it's so hard to see these kinds of stories and so sad to know that this is just one example. Sadly, this man is not the only predator. How he was ever made a priest in the first place is a discussion for another place, but at least he was "defrocked" before he died. One can only hope that was some punishment to him...not enough for his victims, but a start.
A difficult subject, but one we must face as Catholics and one that can no longer be swept under the rug to protect the offender instead of the victims.
As a Catholic, it's so hard to see these kinds of stories and so sad to know that this is just one example. Sadly, this man is not the only predator. How he was ever made a priest in the first place is a discussion for another place, but at least he was "defrocked" before he died. One can only hope that was some punishment to him...not enough for his victims, but a start.
A difficult subject, but one we must face as Catholics and one that can no longer be swept under the rug to protect the offender instead of the victims.
August 2, 2011
About Tommy Deary who sadly could NOT ‘get over it’ and his brothers who would not ‘let it go’ and Bernard Bissonnette [deceased] the priest abuser predator perpetrator and the leaders in the ‘catholic church’ who overlooked and excused the molestation s of boys . . .
Very important book – the best way to deal with abusers is to expose them, shine the light on them and let them know everyone is watching them . . . I read this as a kindle single it did not take long to read it
Very important book – the best way to deal with abusers is to expose them, shine the light on them and let them know everyone is watching them . . . I read this as a kindle single it did not take long to read it
March 23, 2012
Kindle single.
New Yorker type article looking at a pedophile priest. Engrossing.
New Yorker type article looking at a pedophile priest. Engrossing.
November 1, 2018
Truth AND Consequences ...
... that's what's needed from the Catholic hierarchy, and it's long overdue. This is a fine case study.
I was raised Catholic in Buffalo, NY, and I remain a Catholic today, at age 65. I pray for the victims' healing and for justice for the offenders. The Church, which is experiencing a justified chastisement, *must* purge itself of this gangrenous pus that is the homosexual clergy and their homosexualist advocates. God have mercy on us!
... that's what's needed from the Catholic hierarchy, and it's long overdue. This is a fine case study.
I was raised Catholic in Buffalo, NY, and I remain a Catholic today, at age 65. I pray for the victims' healing and for justice for the offenders. The Church, which is experiencing a justified chastisement, *must* purge itself of this gangrenous pus that is the homosexual clergy and their homosexualist advocates. God have mercy on us!
October 21, 2022
Ok
This book was ok and it was horrible to read about all the horrific acts but I cannot say I was gripped by it. That makes me and awful but it is the book and not the subject I am talking about
This book was ok and it was horrible to read about all the horrific acts but I cannot say I was gripped by it. That makes me and awful but it is the book and not the subject I am talking about
June 14, 2020
Very good
Depressing but well written. What the church did was disgusting. I both hope that this priest is being punished and wonder what happened in -his- past.
Depressing but well written. What the church did was disgusting. I both hope that this priest is being punished and wonder what happened in -his- past.
January 22, 2012
I read this probably back in August or September. I review nearly everything I read, but I just didn't have any enthusiasm for this one, any drive to talk about it. The good news is that it's a cheap read, and so if the topic interests you then you won't be losing much in the gamble. Perhaps it's a matter of this story being all too familiar, and so the stark recitation of facts just doesn't seem like more than you'd get in a newspaper story. At this point, I don't need to be convinced that the Catholic Church, for all of its positive qualities, has allowed their children to be devastated while shuffling the abusers around and hiding them. Now, I want to make sense of it all.
Father Bernard Bissonnette becomes more cliche than man as he pretty much hit every stereotype as he was allowed to abuse children for decades. A family seeks to confront him about it, and the beginning of the book promises this will happen. At the end we find out that he is pretty unrepentant, but so old and sickly that he is a pitiable figure. No one gets closure. The lack of closure for the reader is nothing compared to the lack of closure for these families. However, I'm left wondering what it all means and what the future seems to hold. Where is the context and how does this fit in with the bigger picture? Since the details, tragically, follow a familiar pattern, what does this piece offer?
I've I'd read this story years ago, it perhaps would have been enough in it's current form. The tale is no longer a new one, and even as the details should be shocking they've become too familiar. What are the answers? How is the church apt to change to respond to this? We live in a time when the word "priest" is said, and people have to will themselves not to snicker -- even people who were raised Catholic. What now?
Father Bernard Bissonnette becomes more cliche than man as he pretty much hit every stereotype as he was allowed to abuse children for decades. A family seeks to confront him about it, and the beginning of the book promises this will happen. At the end we find out that he is pretty unrepentant, but so old and sickly that he is a pitiable figure. No one gets closure. The lack of closure for the reader is nothing compared to the lack of closure for these families. However, I'm left wondering what it all means and what the future seems to hold. Where is the context and how does this fit in with the bigger picture? Since the details, tragically, follow a familiar pattern, what does this piece offer?
I've I'd read this story years ago, it perhaps would have been enough in it's current form. The tale is no longer a new one, and even as the details should be shocking they've become too familiar. What are the answers? How is the church apt to change to respond to this? We live in a time when the word "priest" is said, and people have to will themselves not to snicker -- even people who were raised Catholic. What now?
August 8, 2014
Hauntingly real
Hauntingly real
Growing up in a devout Irish-Catholic family in Connecticut our Parish Priest was a direct link to God himself. Looking back, I consider myself one of the lucky ones. At 15, I made the mistake of confessing an indiscretion with a young lady. who's name I would not divulge to our Priest. He told me he'd beat it out of me,and to his credit he gave it a good ry. My Father,a hard drinking Irish immigrant was not unaccustomed to me having a black eye (or worse) was taken back by the beating I had. Part of my penance was I was to attend Mass daily for two weeks or till I confessed. The first few days my Da thought I was trying to work things out (The Irish are known for a few things and keeping your troubles to yourself is certainly a major one,at least in family). Finally, my Dad asked me why I was going to Mass everyday (it was Summer). I told him it was penance. It took a few minutes but he knew who gave me the beating. All he asked was "open hand or closed" I told him closed "then he looked at the floor and asked me if he touched me any way improper" I said aside from the beating, no. a" After my Dad had a "discussion"with the good Father ( The Priest had an emergency to tend to an ailing relative for six weeks) I was never so much as looked at sideways by any of our Priest's.
The next morning he told me things had been worked out but I still my penance.
The complexity of the Irish (my family being just one example) seem to be never-ending. Consider ing what these poor families went through I consider myself lucky not blessed (if you know. what I mean).
Hauntingly real
Growing up in a devout Irish-Catholic family in Connecticut our Parish Priest was a direct link to God himself. Looking back, I consider myself one of the lucky ones. At 15, I made the mistake of confessing an indiscretion with a young lady. who's name I would not divulge to our Priest. He told me he'd beat it out of me,and to his credit he gave it a good ry. My Father,a hard drinking Irish immigrant was not unaccustomed to me having a black eye (or worse) was taken back by the beating I had. Part of my penance was I was to attend Mass daily for two weeks or till I confessed. The first few days my Da thought I was trying to work things out (The Irish are known for a few things and keeping your troubles to yourself is certainly a major one,at least in family). Finally, my Dad asked me why I was going to Mass everyday (it was Summer). I told him it was penance. It took a few minutes but he knew who gave me the beating. All he asked was "open hand or closed" I told him closed "then he looked at the floor and asked me if he touched me any way improper" I said aside from the beating, no. a" After my Dad had a "discussion"with the good Father ( The Priest had an emergency to tend to an ailing relative for six weeks) I was never so much as looked at sideways by any of our Priest's.
The next morning he told me things had been worked out but I still my penance.
The complexity of the Irish (my family being just one example) seem to be never-ending. Consider ing what these poor families went through I consider myself lucky not blessed (if you know. what I mean).
Read
October 18, 2011This story desperately needed to be to told on behalf of all the victimized children that fell into the clutches of this pedophile priest, Barney Bissonnette. All the church leaders involved in this scandal(and for decades covering it up) deserve to rot in prison for the rest of their lives for the irreparable damage done to so many innocent children. Sadly, this will never happen, but perhaps as more victims speak out, the church will lose it's power to destroy lives and perpetuate evil. Here is one excerpt that left me outraged:
"While Bissonnette cost the Santa Fe Archdiocese (or its insurers) $2 million or more in settlements, the individual payouts were actually quite modest. As always, the law broke things down very pragmatically: fondling (a one-time occurrence brought about $25,000) was worth less than oral sex, oral sex less than anal sex, anal sex less than anal sex with bleeding. Also factored in was the frequency and duration of the abuse. Not only the Church but its victims -- more determined to avoid embarrassment than to cash in to the max -- wanted these matters disposed of quietly and quickly. So the highest awards went for only around $300,000. This may explain why no one ever wrote much about Bissonnette; when it comes to public censure, he got pretty much of a pass."
"While Bissonnette cost the Santa Fe Archdiocese (or its insurers) $2 million or more in settlements, the individual payouts were actually quite modest. As always, the law broke things down very pragmatically: fondling (a one-time occurrence brought about $25,000) was worth less than oral sex, oral sex less than anal sex, anal sex less than anal sex with bleeding. Also factored in was the frequency and duration of the abuse. Not only the Church but its victims -- more determined to avoid embarrassment than to cash in to the max -- wanted these matters disposed of quietly and quickly. So the highest awards went for only around $300,000. This may explain why no one ever wrote much about Bissonnette; when it comes to public censure, he got pretty much of a pass."
October 28, 2012
This selection was a 'single'-- a short read and is an expose of some families whose lives were destroyed by a priest through sexual abuse, rape and sodomy. What is so absolutely shocking about the book isn't the abuse by a priest (anyone who hasn't been living in a box is aware that sexual predators in the clergy are rampant) but that these sexual predators seemed to have flocked to a career in the church. Why? Because they knew they would be hidden.
This book makes it shockingly apparent how complicit the church hierarchy was. They not only knew about the abuse for years, but supported it. I just don't understand why only the priests get vilified. Why doesn't the entire Catholic church accept their involvement rather than sweeping such things under the rug?
This story follows the career of a priest from the seminary to retirement and all the lives he destroyed along the way. This is NOT a motivational story, by any means. It is a ripping off the cover from an emotional band-aid that went hidden for too many years. An important, and horrifying, read.
This book makes it shockingly apparent how complicit the church hierarchy was. They not only knew about the abuse for years, but supported it. I just don't understand why only the priests get vilified. Why doesn't the entire Catholic church accept their involvement rather than sweeping such things under the rug?
This story follows the career of a priest from the seminary to retirement and all the lives he destroyed along the way. This is NOT a motivational story, by any means. It is a ripping off the cover from an emotional band-aid that went hidden for too many years. An important, and horrifying, read.
September 10, 2011
While visiting my dad one weekend, I had read an article on this book (available only on Kindle at present) and it caught my interest since both the author, and the main family in the story, the Deary's, were reidents of Putnam CT, near my own hometown. Though the issue is all too familiar by now, a pedophile preying on victims in his own church, having the story told by the family of one of the victims of this despicable crime makes it even more disturbing. A true account of how sexual abuse can decimate the life of not only the victims themselves but also their families, even decades later, and the church's blatant failure to deal with these crimes (the priest in this account, a Bernard Bissonette, had been reported to the church authorities numerous times and their answer was to basically move him to another location supplying him with fresh innocents to prey on). Though not an easy read, the story is told with compassion for the Deary family and is well written.
May 16, 2013
This is a short book that I read in an afternoon. It is a true story which follows one Catholic priest who molests boys throughout his career as a priest.
One of his early victims, a boy from a large and devout family, is mentally tortured by his experience in his youth, and lives a troubled life. After he commits suicide at age 46, his siblings go on a hunt to find the priest (Bernard Bissonnette) and to confront him.
This story is reported factually, much like an in-depth newspaper article. It is sometimes hard to read, due to the atrocities perpetrated against so many young boys. Heart-breaking! This is one story (the grand picture, not just this one vignette) which I am glad has finally come out in the open. Through demands of the people and the courts, the Catholic church is being forced (granted, at glacial speed) to face the problem and deal with it. My hope: openness and honesty will triumph.
One of his early victims, a boy from a large and devout family, is mentally tortured by his experience in his youth, and lives a troubled life. After he commits suicide at age 46, his siblings go on a hunt to find the priest (Bernard Bissonnette) and to confront him.
This story is reported factually, much like an in-depth newspaper article. It is sometimes hard to read, due to the atrocities perpetrated against so many young boys. Heart-breaking! This is one story (the grand picture, not just this one vignette) which I am glad has finally come out in the open. Through demands of the people and the courts, the Catholic church is being forced (granted, at glacial speed) to face the problem and deal with it. My hope: openness and honesty will triumph.
September 13, 2011
This story was heartbreaking. I myself know of someone who was molested by a "Brother" when he was a kid in a seminary camp in NY. Ever since finding this out I have read others stories in hope of better understanding what he went through as well. This person i know was very similar to tommy in this story. He has had many problems with drugs and alcohol and women. He also has an anger problem. At times I have worried that he would kill himself as well, but thankfully all these years later, he seems to be living a much better life. Thank you to the author for sharing this story with the public. By writing this story you are truly helping others to open their eyes.
September 1, 2011
This was an informative and suprisingly quick and interesting read. It is not fictionalized or sensationalized but rather explores the various failings of the Catholic Church, the Pope and individual priests and bishops involved in the decades long cover up regarding the sexual molestation and abusive activities of a priest that took 42 years (and the persistence of a beloved brother of one of the victims) to finally defrock. The story is unfortunately too familiar. If you are morbidly curious and looking for morbid details, this book is discreet but factually complete.
April 7, 2012
Los kindle single tienen esa peculiaridad, es la extensión natural, a lo mejor muy largo para artículo, muy corto para libro.
En este caso se trata sobre un pedofilo sacerdote católico y como sus crímenes fueron impunes por años a pesar de arruinar tantas vidas.
Este en particular se defendió hasta el cansancio y nunca reconoció haber hecho daño.
No es una novela , por ello no son validas las quejas de que es anti-climatico el encuentro con la familia de una de sus víctimas, que sirven más bien como la
Columna en la que se apoya esta investigación de Margolick
En este caso se trata sobre un pedofilo sacerdote católico y como sus crímenes fueron impunes por años a pesar de arruinar tantas vidas.
Este en particular se defendió hasta el cansancio y nunca reconoció haber hecho daño.
No es una novela , por ello no son validas las quejas de que es anti-climatico el encuentro con la familia de una de sus víctimas, que sirven más bien como la
Columna en la que se apoya esta investigación de Margolick
October 27, 2012
Follows the history of pedophile priest that predates what was uncovered in the last 10 years in the Catholic Church. The sad part is that it took so long for this type of activity to come out in the open. The affected victims resulted in depression, confusion with their lives and suicide. A quick read.
September 1, 2014
This is a fascinating and sad story about a family who lived right down the road from where I now live. Having lived in Putnam my whole life, I knew many of the people and places mentioned in this book. Though it is depressing in terms of its topic, it is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who knows of the Deary family.
August 20, 2011
Very powerful and moving story of a predator who happens to be a priest. Much has been written about the extended denial of the issue by the Catholic church but it is still a story that touches and disgusts.
October 19, 2011
This is a short, sad story about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, by one priest that took advantage of dozens of young boys. It is so sad to me that he got away with what he did to those boys, leaving them scared for life.
A very interesting and well-researched read.
A very interesting and well-researched read.
August 14, 2013
A really well written piece this. Awful, obviously and wouldn't it be great if such stories were not about to be covered. But this is really well handled (er, pardon the pun). A devastating account of course, but a fine piece of extended journalism.
August 5, 2011
A great insight of how the Catholic church hid the sins of their priests. What an injustice to the victims and their families.
August 5, 2011
Read this. It's timely, terrifying, and enraging. If you still put money in the coffers of the Roman Catholic church.... read it twice.
August 16, 2011
This short book blew me away. I mean, I had no idea. No. Idea.
September 20, 2011
It was a good story, but it wasn't written very well.
July 19, 2016
I was very disheartened to know that this was still going on was concealed from the communities. These individuals should have been exposed and convicted for the disgusting pedophiles they are!!
October 16, 2011
Interesting story, but somehow felt incomplete.
January 4, 2012
A deeper look at just one figure in the pedophile priest scandals. A disturbing but important story.
February 7, 2012
Very disturbing true story!!! Parents need to be aware of these type of predators out there!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews