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Holy Hell
When Senior NSW Police Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox told the ABC’s Lateline programme on November 8, 2012, that the Catholic Church had covered up crimes by paedophile priests, silenced investigations and destroyed crucial evidence to avoid prosecution, the public outrage that ensued triggered a Royal Commission into institutional child abuse. A case of Church interference Fox outlined was that of Patricia Feenan’s son, Daniel who was a fourteen-year-old altar boy when he was first raped by a priest in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese.
One of the many shocking aspects of the case was how the priest, a close family friend, set about secretly grooming his altar boy victim. The priest was later found guilty of nine charges of sexual abuse of a minor in a public criminal trial in 2004.
Patricia writes with raw honesty about her son’s terrible ordeal, and it’s effects on her family. She bravely reveals the scars that linger from the callous and often cruel ostracism they endured, as well as the denial they encountered from the Catholic community for seeking to bring a paedophile priest to justice.
“The story will shock and confront as it takes you through every parent’s worst nightmare. It is also a story of healing and hope for the future. Patricia Feenan wasn’t just a good mum; she is an extraordinary woman who never gave up the struggle to rescue her family from the terrible abyss of despair created by a paedophile priest.” - Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox.
One of the many shocking aspects of the case was how the priest, a close family friend, set about secretly grooming his altar boy victim. The priest was later found guilty of nine charges of sexual abuse of a minor in a public criminal trial in 2004.
Patricia writes with raw honesty about her son’s terrible ordeal, and it’s effects on her family. She bravely reveals the scars that linger from the callous and often cruel ostracism they endured, as well as the denial they encountered from the Catholic community for seeking to bring a paedophile priest to justice.
“The story will shock and confront as it takes you through every parent’s worst nightmare. It is also a story of healing and hope for the future. Patricia Feenan wasn’t just a good mum; she is an extraordinary woman who never gave up the struggle to rescue her family from the terrible abyss of despair created by a paedophile priest.” - Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox.
- GenresReligionTrue Crime
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2012
3 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 21, 2019
Unless you’ve been there I don’t think anyone has an iota of what this family went through all because of one evil predator who hid behind a nice guy persona. I met this man on a few occasions and was taken in finding him a charming man. How wrong can a person be!
After finishing the book I have nothing but respect and admiration for Daniel, (other victims and their families included) Pat, the family and the supportive friends.
Don’t be put off by the subject matter. Although distressing the book is well written and a very quick and easy read. I read it in one session.
After finishing the book I have nothing but respect and admiration for Daniel, (other victims and their families included) Pat, the family and the supportive friends.
Don’t be put off by the subject matter. Although distressing the book is well written and a very quick and easy read. I read it in one session.
June 2, 2022
Such a well written, honest and devastating recount of a harrowing event that too many people have had to experience. The clinical description of the court system and legal proceedings in relation to the Catholic Church as an institution, which presented many difficulties in progressing the case. An absolute must read for everyone, if at the very least to show support for a family who took a tremendous amount of courage to tell this story.
February 20, 2022
A story of the ultimate abuse of power, position and influence and an abominable betrayal of trust and faith perpetrated on the most innocent members of society by those who society has traditionally looked upon as the most trusted among us.
Sadly and so very disturbingly, the experience of the family depicted in the book is far from an isolated instance and not just in Australia but around the world. And not even by just the Catholic Church, although it does seem to be one of the worst and most frequent offenders.
Having been raised a Catholic and educated in catholic primary and secondary schools I am appalled, ashamed, disgusted and revolted by what has come to light in recent years. I had actually ceased being a practising catholic a long, long time ago.
When attending high school I was indirectly aware of instances of questionable behaviour that one heard about on the school grapevine but I had never experienced anything myself.
Having read many of the transcripts from the 2012 Royal Commission into institutional child abuse in Australia several names of offenders popped out at me as priests or Marist brothers I either knew of or who had taught me at high school.
The realization that what happened to the Feenan family could have happened to me or any of my classmates hit me like a runaway train. One really has to wonder to what extent the cases that are now public are just the tip of the iceberg.
Whereas Holy Hell details one family's horrid experience, the book Walking Towards Thunder by retired Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox details so much more in terms of the widespread nature of the abuse suffered by Daniel Feenan. Fox was an instrumental figure in the Royal Commission and in the whole investigation into institutional child abuse in the Hunter Valley, including the Feenan case.
For me, the catholic church in particular and other churces, cults and quasi religious organizations where these horrid instances of abuse have occurred are permanently blighted by the history of abuse especially when one looks at the extraordinary lengths these organizations have gone to to cover up atrocities committed.
In my view one does not need religion to be a decent human being. In fact, being religious can actually be an impediment to being so, as history clearly shows us.
Sadly and so very disturbingly, the experience of the family depicted in the book is far from an isolated instance and not just in Australia but around the world. And not even by just the Catholic Church, although it does seem to be one of the worst and most frequent offenders.
Having been raised a Catholic and educated in catholic primary and secondary schools I am appalled, ashamed, disgusted and revolted by what has come to light in recent years. I had actually ceased being a practising catholic a long, long time ago.
When attending high school I was indirectly aware of instances of questionable behaviour that one heard about on the school grapevine but I had never experienced anything myself.
Having read many of the transcripts from the 2012 Royal Commission into institutional child abuse in Australia several names of offenders popped out at me as priests or Marist brothers I either knew of or who had taught me at high school.
The realization that what happened to the Feenan family could have happened to me or any of my classmates hit me like a runaway train. One really has to wonder to what extent the cases that are now public are just the tip of the iceberg.
Whereas Holy Hell details one family's horrid experience, the book Walking Towards Thunder by retired Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox details so much more in terms of the widespread nature of the abuse suffered by Daniel Feenan. Fox was an instrumental figure in the Royal Commission and in the whole investigation into institutional child abuse in the Hunter Valley, including the Feenan case.
For me, the catholic church in particular and other churces, cults and quasi religious organizations where these horrid instances of abuse have occurred are permanently blighted by the history of abuse especially when one looks at the extraordinary lengths these organizations have gone to to cover up atrocities committed.
In my view one does not need religion to be a decent human being. In fact, being religious can actually be an impediment to being so, as history clearly shows us.
October 17, 2024
Shows you why the Catholic Church is evil, no matter what country it has it's claws in. It also describes just how rape can destroy your life, even years after the event. There aren't any particularly graphic details, but what were included was horrific enough.
January 2, 2018
absolutely heartbreaking, these are the things they shelter you from in Catholic education. you are not taught about the horrible face of the church. must read.
October 5, 2018
Good book
Terrible subject to read about but, unfortunately, each time more and more common in our society and all around the world.
Terrible subject to read about but, unfortunately, each time more and more common in our society and all around the world.
April 13, 2013
Christine Feenan had to face one of the worse nightmares any parent would have to face - the abuse of her son by a man she trusted and respected.
Christine Feenan is an extraordinary woman. She stood by her eldest son Daniel for many years, not knowing where his self destructive behaviour came from, but drawing on her faith and church to believe he would come good eventually. And the Daniel dropped a bomb shell - he'd been sexually abused by a priest from their church. A man who Christine had worked with on several parish councils, a man they had invited into their home and a man whose counsel they had sought when concerned about Daniel's behaviour.
For me, apart from the obvious, the worse part of this story is the way the Catholic church abandoned the Feenan family. This is a family who were heavily involved in their church, lived their faith and believed those leading the church did too. They were not part time players. From the time Daniel accused Father John Fletcher until the day he was convicted, the church all but washed their hands of the Feenan's. Little to no help was offered, no prayers were said, no support was given. On the other hand, Fr Fletcher had funds raised for his defense, prayer circles were held for him and the support of his fellow clergy was freely given. And while I assume there are exceptions to this closing of the ranks, I fear they were few and far between.
Christine Feenan tells this story from the heart. It's gut wrenching, but it is not sensationalised. She leads the reader through events carefully, showing them how her family was betrayed by the one person they thought they could have full faith in. She is not searching for sympathy, she is standing up to say this was wrong, Daniel, like so many other's was the victim and the church needs to take responsibility for the actions of their priests - both those who perpetrated abuse and those who covered it up or pretended it wasn't happening.
The release of this book is timely, with an inquiry having just been launched in Australia to investigate the response (or lack thereof) of institutions into reports of child sex abuse. We can only hope those institutions, religious and otherwise, learn from previous mistakes and work to support those who were the victims of abuse while in their care.
You can listen to an interview with Patricia Feenan here - http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2.... It's not an easy listen, but it gives you true insight into the strength of this amazing woman.
Christine Feenan is an extraordinary woman. She stood by her eldest son Daniel for many years, not knowing where his self destructive behaviour came from, but drawing on her faith and church to believe he would come good eventually. And the Daniel dropped a bomb shell - he'd been sexually abused by a priest from their church. A man who Christine had worked with on several parish councils, a man they had invited into their home and a man whose counsel they had sought when concerned about Daniel's behaviour.
For me, apart from the obvious, the worse part of this story is the way the Catholic church abandoned the Feenan family. This is a family who were heavily involved in their church, lived their faith and believed those leading the church did too. They were not part time players. From the time Daniel accused Father John Fletcher until the day he was convicted, the church all but washed their hands of the Feenan's. Little to no help was offered, no prayers were said, no support was given. On the other hand, Fr Fletcher had funds raised for his defense, prayer circles were held for him and the support of his fellow clergy was freely given. And while I assume there are exceptions to this closing of the ranks, I fear they were few and far between.
Christine Feenan tells this story from the heart. It's gut wrenching, but it is not sensationalised. She leads the reader through events carefully, showing them how her family was betrayed by the one person they thought they could have full faith in. She is not searching for sympathy, she is standing up to say this was wrong, Daniel, like so many other's was the victim and the church needs to take responsibility for the actions of their priests - both those who perpetrated abuse and those who covered it up or pretended it wasn't happening.
The release of this book is timely, with an inquiry having just been launched in Australia to investigate the response (or lack thereof) of institutions into reports of child sex abuse. We can only hope those institutions, religious and otherwise, learn from previous mistakes and work to support those who were the victims of abuse while in their care.
You can listen to an interview with Patricia Feenan here - http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2.... It's not an easy listen, but it gives you true insight into the strength of this amazing woman.
March 21, 2013
A horrifying story, but i just couldn't put it down. My heart goes out to this family and all families who have suffered in this way.
October 8, 2013
Such an interesting insight to a world few of us know about. Honestly and bravely written. I had the pleasure of meeting the author recently and what a wonderful friendly woman she was.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews