The Altar Boys

by Suzanne Smith

Boys with everything to live for ... A community betrayed ... The whistle-blower priest who paid the ultimate price

Glen Walsh and Steven Alward were childhood friends in their tight-knit working-class community in Shortland, on the outskirts of Newcastle, New South Wales. Both proud altar boys at the local Catholic church, they went on to attend the city's Catholic boys' highs schools: Glen to Marist Brothers and Steven to St Pius X. Both did well: Steven became a journalist; Glen a priest. But when Glen discovered another priest was sexually abusing boys, he reported the offending to police, breaking Canon Law and his vows to the Catholic 'brotherhood' in the process. Just weeks before he was due to give evidence at a key trial against the highest cleric to ever be charged with covering up child abuse, Father Glen Walsh was dead. Two months later, his friend Steven also died, only weeks before he was to marry the love of his life. Ensuing investigations revealed that at least 60 men in the region had taken their own lives. Why? What had happened, and why were so many from the three Catholic high schools in the area?

By six-time Walkley Award-winning investigative reporter Suzanne Smith, The Altar Boys is the powerful expose of widespread and organised clerical abuse of children in an Australian city, and how the cover-up in the Catholic Church in Australia extended from parish priests to every echelon of the organisation. Focusing on two childhood friends, their families and community, this gripping and explosive story is backed by secret documents, diary notes and witness accounts, and details a deliberate church strategy of using psychological warfare against witnesses in key trials involving paedophile priests.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Religion, Crime

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2020

About the author

Suzanne Smith is a six-time Walkley Award- and two-time Logie award-winning journalist. Her 27-year career in journalism includes senior editorial roles at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, including on Foreign Correspondent, Background Briefing, Radio National, ABC News, and Radio Current Affairs. She was the senior investigative reporter and producer at Lateline on ABC TV reporting stories on the cover up of clerical abuse, which helped trigger the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia. She has also written for Crikey and The Australian, and held various roles in the commercial media.

Reviews

[Anne Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book last night. It is gut-wrenching and brilliant. The book is important and adds serious weight to the worst fears of victims, their loved ones, and the public: that the church hierarchy not only failed to protect children but knowingly, systematically and remorselessly placed thousands in harm's way. David Shoebridge has, since it's release, successfully pushed for an inquiry into the death of the whistleblower priest, Glen Walsh. I hope many read it; the victims and survivors must be supported in their epic quest for justice.

[Vivi Widodo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm speechless and fuming reading this book. Each time, I have to stop a bit and settle myself down as I just can't breathe knowing "these bad apples" inside the Catholics church and how they used their so called 'power' to attract and manipulate both victims and their families.

I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes and swore of how this institution tries to cover everything. I feel so sad for Father Glen Walsh as an initiator whistle blower - quoted"I will never open my mouth again, ever...".

How it's hard to be up against a powerful institution that held all the cards.

[Rob O'Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so very sad, the revelations of the abuse of innocent boys by the predatory clergy beyond harrowing. It was said that to be a Catholic boy growing up in Newcastle in the 1970s was to be in danger. An organised ‘brotherhood’ of pedophiles controlled the diocese’s churches and schools and covered up hundreds of their crimes. These were not ‘indiscretions’, but premeditated sexual assaults.
Shortlisted for a Walkley Award, "The Altar Boys" has at its core the story of two boys, Glen Walsh and Steven Alward, proud altar boys who went on to attend the city’s two main Catholic boys’ schools. Both became victims, and later whistleblowers, the burden of trauma so destructive they took their own lives. Over 60 men have suicided so far as a result of clergy abuse in the diocese.

"The Altar Boys" is a powerful exposé, and Smith has researched astonishingly well, managing to express the culture and people of the time perfectly. A story of incredible proportions, with many players, it is laid out clearly. With the author’s deep care for the victims ever-present, the book provides a just tribute to the voiceless. Her take is authentic and the details ring true to this reader. And this is where I can admit that I went to one of the schools concerned, and I knew Glen Walsh. It is disturbing to read a true crime narrative when you know the characters. Of the many ‘key people’ listed in this book’s frontispiece, I knew most, and that includes two Bishops, two Monsignors, many priests, and many of the Marist Brothers. Two of the worst offenders included my parish priests, both charged with scores of offences. My school principal, my choir masters, my teachers, so many of them were guilty or otherwise implicated. Smith’s description of the brutality at Marist Brothers Hamilton was so accurate I was shaken.

Many of my classmates have been lost to suicide, and I count several relatives as victims of Catholic clergy in the Hunter region. I was luckily only ‘groomed’ by a couple of these criminals.
I can speak to the veracity of much of the cultural descriptions in this book. Sadly, for decades people told me that the stories of abuse by clergy were merely “an anti-Catholic beatup”. It took a Royal Commission to bring light to the shame. Investigative reportage like The Altar Boys allows people to finally speak freely, and this is such a hugely valuable relief. What is clear from this book is how large, organised, and entrenched the abuse was, and how knowledge of it went to the very top. This is not old news, and more is to come out on these crimes, not just in this diocese, but across the world. Each considered and supported piece of fearless journalism helps to right the wrongs, and vindicate the helpless. "The Altar Boys" is not sensationalist, and it balances the darkness with the inspiring stories of Glen, Steven, and others who seek justice in the face of the monolithic Church. The tone is perfect, a tribute to the skill of the author. It is deserving of its status as a Walkley Award finalist and I would have been glad to have seen it won.
I thoroughly recommend this book to those who can bear to read of such crimes, and see the horrific hurt they have caused. It is vital to bear in mind the author’s words, “This is not a bleak tale, but a story of resilience, courage and humanity in the face of dark criminality.”

[Jim KABLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Light - Exposure - Validation

This book is forensic, detailed, supported on every level - the crimes of the leading figures under investigation and charges - priests and bishops - and teachers - ugly and shameful - and blatant. For those like Glen - what a burden - to continue on in a box of bad apples. Brave those who spoke out - evil those who covered up...A huge thank-you to Suzanne Smith for this tribute to all who were abused - all these dozens of boys/men who took their own lives as a consequence of the unspeakable things forced upon them as little boys! Wilson and Pell - hold those two names up to the light especially - wrigglers of an unpleasant order.

[Lynne Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in Newcastle & going to school with Andrew Nash & my family being close to his, I am angry & saddened reading this book. We always suspected what happened to Andrew, it was tragic. So many names in this book are familiar, we had several of these priests in our house, this book hit a raw nerve with me!

[Lee Kofman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith has a real skill to write calmly about horrors. It is because of her calm that the terrible realities she describes in this book come to life and really hit you in the guts. I also admire her narrative craft, how well she wove the individual stories within the larger context, and how subtly, non-intrusively, she inserted herself into the story, injecting it with further urgency.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing story. And all the more poignant as so many victims had their lived ended early due to the (misplaced) shame they felt while the perpetrators lived long lives and felt no shame. Suzanne Smith showed amazing strength in writing this - thank you.

[Steve Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!!

A hard book to write, a hard book to read. The heartbreaking and gut-wrenching true story of the sexual abuse of so many young boys over decades and the attempt by the church to cover it all up.

[Giovanna Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh. How do you rate a book like this, about institutionalised church sexual abuse? Affecting. Tragic. Sad. Devastating. Unfair. Corrupt. Angry. Criminal. Loss. A story told powerfully and comprehensively. Much research, names and dates. A voice of and for the abused.

[Robert Copland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not what you would call an enjoyable or entertaining read, but you have to read it - in the same way that, if you are on holiday in Krakow, you have to visit Auschwitz. We have occasionally to read about bad stuff in order to better see it when it happens again, recognise it for what it is and deal with it more quickly than happened in Newcastle.
Which was worse - the offences or the cover-ups? Or the victimisation of those who had the courage to shine the light by those doing the covering?
This is a powerful, incisive lighthouse of a book and in its sights sits a group of people who worked for an organisation whose followers thought that its reputation was more important than the lives of its and their victims.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished: 22.11.2020
Genre: non-fiction (investigative journalism)
Rating: A+++++++++
#AusReadingMonth2020
Conclusion:
Books with one word reviews.....are the best:
IMPRESSIVE!

My Thoughts

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Altar Boys is a succinct account of the rampant sexual abuse and cover ups that proliferated the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic diocese, covering from about the 1950s to the early 2000s, written by a journalist who had already been covering the story when it became suddenly very personal. Suzanne Smith does a fantastic job at drawing all the different threads of the narrative together - perhaps it’s because much of the story is still unfolding, but I haven’t seen this examined in such depth before. However, it is very clear a journalist wrote this at times, with some odd chapter endings and the more emotive language sometimes sitting strangely among the more factual, informative paragraphs - it did feel a bit like reading an especially long longform article.

This is not an easy read and it spares no details (gut wrenching but never crossing the line to become tragedy porn). I would recommend it, especially if you grew up Catholic. It certainly made me reflect on my own relationships (and those of my family and teachers) with priests and the brothers/nuns and the school parishes growing up in the 2000s. It was sobering to properly realise that this was just one diocese and that if Suzanne Smith had followed where the stories led into others (Sydney was mentioned, as was Ballarat, and Western Australia), the size of the book probably would have been several volumes larger.

[Naomi (aplace_inthesun) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚠️ This post discusses institutionalised sexual abuse. If you find any content triggering or need to talk to someone (in Australia call Lifeline 131144 or Kids Helpline 1800551800).

For many, there will be no right time to read a book about institutionalised sexual abuse. But this book has been on my radar for some time, as the subject matter is more than familiar to me in terms of professional exposure.

Full of historical detail, it’s an incredibly poignant read. It’s heartbreaking and emotive. And as it should be, when we talk about children and their families being betrayed by those in power and the representatives of the Almighty. Not only were these children and families betrayed by individuals but they were betrayed by the system in which they had Faith. The system failed to listen, failed to act, and failed to protect.

It is thanks to some brave individuals who are the subject of this book, two incredible friends since childhood, their supportive families, and a community who demanded answers from the almighty Catholic Church. The story is centred in the Hunter in New South Wales, Australia - though the issues, as stated in the book were mirrored in religious institutions around the globe.

It is recognised many changes have occurred in religious institutions since a Royal Commission, not just the Catholic Church. It remains work in progress. There are many who work hard to ensure this does not happen again. Many within the Church and outside who work to educate, empower, support, advocate and respond.

Thank you to Suzanne Smith, Brendan Fredericks PR and Harper Collins Australia for sending me this book to read.

[Catherine McCullagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne Smith’s 'The Altar Boys' is a compelling account of devotion and betrayal. Set in the diocese of Newcastle-Maitland over a period of several decades, it describes Catholic communities that loved their god, their church and particularly their priests, who were revered and honoured. Yet, at the heart of this story lies duplicity and obfuscation — and the people of Newcastle-Maitland were well and truly betrayed by a significant number of their clergy. These men of God were responsible not only for the destruction of young lives through the trauma of child sex abuse, but for the suicide of sixty young men — possibly more — for whom that trauma eventually proved overwhelming.
Suzanne Smith is a former journalist and this is evident in the meticulous research and vast array of documents that support her account which unfolds with beguiling fluency. This is a powerful story, told primarily through the eyes of two childhood friends, Glen Walsh and Steven Alward. As a consequence, its telling is highly personal and this only serves to increase its potency. Both men loved the church and both were ultimately betrayed, particularly Glen, who became a priest and returned to his home diocese, only to be confronted with evidence of rampant child sex abuse. In an act of tremendous courage, he became a whistleblower, challenging one of the world’s mightiest institutions. It would result in his ostracism from the church he loved, leading to his eventual suicide. Glen’s tale is heartbreaking. That he should have suffered so gravely for doing what was right is a travesty, pure and simple.
'The Altar Boys' takes the reader through early accounts of child sex offending in the diocese and into the realm of police investigations, court cases and the McClellan Royal Commission which finally revealed the extraordinary extent of both the abuse and the cover-up. It is a shocking story, carefully and skilfully told, and one that leaves a profound sense of sadness in its wake. But this is necessary reading and the importance of The Altar Boys lies in its ability to present the grim face of abuse and document its far-reaching consequences. Highly recommended.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children with everything to live for. A community betrayed. the whistleblower priest who paid the ultimate price.

A powerful true story.

Glen Walsh and Steven Alward were childhood friends in their tight-knit working-class community in Newcastle, NSW. both proud altar boys at the local Catholic church, they went on to attend the city's Catholic boys' high school: Glen to Marist Brothers, Hamilton, and Steven to St.Pius X. Both did well: Steven became a journalist; Glen a priest.

But their lives came to be burdened by secrets kept and exposed. Glen discovered that another priest was sexually abusing boys and reported the offender to the police, breaking his vows to the Catholic 'brotherhood' n the process. His decision to give evidence regarding the cover-up of clerical abuse at a landmark trial ended in tragedy. meanwhile, Steven was fighting his own battle to overcome a traumatic past, a battle that also ended in tragedy.

Ensuing investigations revealed that at least 60 men in the region had taken their own lives. What had happened, and why were so many of those men from the three Catholic high schools in the area?

In the tradition of SPOTLIGHT and backed by secret documents, diary notes and witness accounts, THE ALTAR BOYS is a powerful expose of widespread and organised clerical abuse of children in one Australian city. By a six-time Walkely Award-winning investigative reporter, this gripping and explosive story focuses on two childhood friends, their families and community, and the people who fought justice in the face of a cover-up that extended from parish priests every echelon of the Catholic Church.

***********************

[Linda Edmonds Cerullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An appalling account of sexual molestation in New South Wales. This book had me awake at night wondering how there could possibly be so many children horrifically assaulted by priests and how they could get away with it for so many years. A study into how much the Catholic Church resembles a cult and how brainwashed the parents, children and parishioners were. The suicides of the victims made me weep. The arrogance of the priests, bishops, archbishops and other representatives of the church was mind boggling. I have, through reading the various accounts of how wide spread the abuse was in the Catholic Church around the world, come to the conclusion that there are two types of priests: the ones who knew what was going on and the ones doing it. My conscience will no longer allow me to enter a Catholic Church for a wedding or even a funeral. And for those who say it goes on in non-Catholic churches as well, that is certainly so, but those churches do not claim for themselves what the Catholic Church does. If you believe you are the one true Church of Jesus Christ you have to do better than the rest. Anyone who remains in the RCC is complicit and that includes the author, who for reasons known only to her, can write such an outstanding book and yet still stay. For her sake and any children she may have, she needs to get out now because God will judge this sham of a church. God is not present in a church where there is institutionalized sexual abuse of children. It’s an insult to Him to state otherwise.

[John Cleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Altar Boys demonstrates great empathy with the victims of clergy and catholic church abuse by exposing how the patriarchal, hierarchical, authoritarian catholic church focused more on protecting its reputation than delivering their false and misleading claim to christian values.

Impressive research detailing the extent of catholic clergy cover-up including:
- A Memorandum of Understanding with Police, never signed but implemented anyway, which provided legal impunity for criminal abusers but ignored the rights of the abused.
- Tormented abuse victim and whistleblower, summonsed to Rome, to personally explain to the Pope his proposed evidence to an Australian court. "Pontifical Secrecy" causing suicide.?

The Altar Boys challenges the cycle of catholic clergy abuse by detailing the consequences of ‘blind faith’. Suzanne Smith provides an expose of institutional abuse by institutional abusers betraying the trust of the faithful, their families and their communities.

Captivating reading which begs the question:
‘Is the Hunter Valley the other Ballarat or the 2nd of a growing number of Australian locations where the unchristian behaviour of the catholic church is eventually exposed?’

[Pam Coll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard a podcast about this outstanding report of a community experiencing shock, horror, betrayal, loss and grief, frustration, everything in fact the opposite to what a community ever wants to deal with. And like most human communities, the "dealing with" was less than admirable. When people are faced with the "unbelievable", they often prove inadequate to the task of discerning right from wrong, meting out justice, and comforting the wretched. And then there are those who "do not want to know"... The enormity of the fact that over 70 men died, in a relatively short space of time, because of, or in relation to, the events narrated, is staggering. This is what we hope never happens anywhere. But happen it did, in New South Wales, so beautiful, but the scene of multi-level human failure. I think every person should read, or have at least a passing knowledge of this book. Especially parents of children being educated in religious institutions. If this book opens eyes, educates the unaware, rouses righteous anger, creates an environment of honesty and demands accountability, then its work is mostly done. Hopefully lives will be saved. I usually prefer the printed page, but this time I recommend the audio book because of the pleasant voice of the narrator - her calm reading promotes compassion and understanding.

[Erina Reddan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Altar Boys is beautifully written and covers distressing material in such an evidenced based and empathetic way that I found I was very supported in the reading of what could be difficult material. I was enraged yet again at the power plays and lack of empathy exhibited by the powerful in the church to cover up and thereby to deepen and continue the damage and distress of victims. The way patriarchal power enshrined within the church hierarchy gave unquestioned authority to deeply flawed men and then supported them over the victims is just... I really have no words. This book is a must read because it's evidence is so clear and irrefutable, and if any Catholic wants to remain true to the teaching they need/must engage and respond to the well reserached evidence this book to find a loving way forward.

[Helen Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just felt sickened by the sexually abusive, criminal culture of the Australian Catholic Church that is revealed in this book. The crime of sexual abuse permeates throughout the organisation ( and no doubt still does). It is interesting that neither of the men who the story revolves around disclosed their abuse to the police even though the whistle blower was able to report the abuse of another man. Also it puzzled me that none of these priests seemed to have had any training as teachers which in turn allowed them access to children. Things must be done differently in Australia? It certainly was a case of pedophiles and sexual predators employing other men with the same criminal tendencies and then enabling and shielding them from prosecution. It was really a gang of abusers or a cult able to offend at will.

[Carmen Tudor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to give a numerical rating to a book like this that deals with the abuse of children and the intentional cover-up by organised religion. I will say that although it's a data-heavy read it's well researched and important for people to see just how acceptable these acts of violence were (and, supposedly, still are) when perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of society. I say all this as someone raised in the Catholic faith and who now thinks the religion itself is wholly separate from the Church proper. What psychopaths. I'm so ashamed and sorry for the innumerable children throughout the world who had to suffer because avarice, corruption and the love of power were simply more important.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other reviewers have said, it's hard to know what to rate this book. I grew up in the Maitland Newcastle Catholic Diocese, so I have either met, or know of probably 95% of the priests and brothers discussed in this book. I had pictures taken on important religious occasions with some, and my family was friends with others.

Reading the book and finding out just what they were up to behind the facade of being a 'man of God' is kind of mind bending. I knew of some of it, but it amazed me just how much I didn't know. It has given me a hell (very much intended) of a lot to think about, and I will most definitely be looking more into it to find out what else has come out since the book was released.

[Shahid · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Altar Boys" by Suzanne Smith is a harrowing and meticulously researched exposé of clerical abuse in Newcastle, NSW. Centered on childhood friends Glen Walsh and Steven Alward, the book details Glen's courageous decision to expose a fellow priest's abuse, leading to tragic consequences. Smith, a six-time Walkley Award-winning journalist, uncovers a widespread cover-up within the Catholic Church, supported by secret documents and witness accounts. This 352-page Kindle edition is a gripping and tragic true crime narrative, shedding light on the devastating impact of systemic abuse and the bravery of those who sought justice.

[Paulibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense read from an investigative reporter covering just one city in Australia’s shameful practices from within a 'respectable organisation'. So far from respectable the abuse of children became it was impossible not to implicate vast percentages of the entire church clergy. All the way to Cardinal Pell but dealing with two altar boys initially. One who became head of International News at Australia’s ABC. The other became a whistleblower from within – formerly abused as a teen himself, now a priest. Heartbreaking, if heavy going. Both no longer with us, their shortened lives pointing the finger at the utter hopelessness that clerical abuse leaves its victims, years down the track.

[Julie Antidormi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No idea how Suzanne Smith was able to research this book and then collate the horrific details in a way that made it flow.
I have read a lot of books on these crimes and each had their own focus.
I felt this book focussed on the overall big picture of what crimes were being committed and the extreme lengths the church members did to conceal them.
Not a good read in terms of content however I believe should be compulsory reading so these crimes are never repeated within organisations in this country ever again.

[Stefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Altar Boys I feel I now have a much better comprehension of how the abuse of children, by clergy, especially in the Maitland/Newcastle diocese spiralled out of control. I feel nothing but disgust and loathing for the abusers (and I’ve met a number of them) and the ones that covered up. This thoroughly researched, well written book is a must read.

[Peter Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to a Marist Brothers school in the 70's and 80's and was involved with another as an adult in the 90's, all in Sydney. I know many of the names in this book. I've been to many of the locations. It makes for difficult reading, even though much of it I already knew. A powerfully told story. It captures they way I feel: betrayed and disgusted.

[Catherine Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
So difficult to rate a book like this that tells of such coverups, lies and cowardice by the very people who should be protecting children. I have finished this book with a sick feeling in my stomach knowing that family members attended schools in this area during this time.
Thank you to Suzanne Smith for Honouring your friend Steven and the brave Fr Greg Walsh in the book.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

So tragically sad

[Liane Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very emotional read. Had you mad with fury and I tears for what these kids went through.