Holy Hell Launched at Cathedral

ABC News
December 6, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-07/holy-hell-launched-at-cathedral/4414198

Victims of sexual abuse by the clergy and the Catholic Church hierarchy have gathered in Newcastle's cathedral complex to acknowledge a family's suffering after their son was raped by a priest.

Daniel Feenan, who was abused by a Hunter Valley priest, was there for the launch of his mother Pat's book, Holy Hell.

The book documents the Feenan family's rejection by fellow Catholics when they went to the police and how the priest was "tipped off" that he was under investigation.

Pat Feenan says she chose the cathedral complex for Thursday evening's launch for maximum impact.

"I thought this is an appropriate place to launch it it's the centre of the Catholic Church," she said.

Ms Feenan received a standing ovation from around 200 supporters.

Bishop Bill Wright was in the front row.

"I'd like to be seen as broadly in support of people who are trying to get this story told," he said.

Ms Feenan says the abuse of her son was a betrayal, but she wants to trust the church again.

She says attitudes within the local church community have undergone a massive shift in recent years.

"Absolutely, in this Diocese I know for sure that if a victim came forward now, they'd be supported all the way through in legal matters," she said.

"The journey would be shared with caring people who believed and showed respect and compassion.

"That didn't happen for us."

Mr Feenan's abuser died in jail.

He says he has his ups and downs but now has a good job and three children.

Mr Feenan says the announcement of a Royal Commission vindicates his decision to speak up.

"The last 10, 20 years have been a struggle, there's no doubt about that," he said.

"Life is getting better but there's still the memories, the disappointment of where I am in life at the moment, and I guess, to where I could have been.

"It's looking back and the realisation of what did happen.

"In the last two to three weeks, with everything that's been evolving, smiling and thinking no, I did do the right thing, at the end of the day."

New South Wales Police Chief Inspector Peter Fox investigated the case and said last night's event showed the church was changing.

Mr Feenan says it is appropriate his mother chose the city's cathedral complex to launch the book.

"It goes to show where we were in the whole frame of a Catholic upbringing," he said.

"We are still Catholics.

"I have completely lost my faith, there's no doubt about that.

"I knew for a long time that mum was going to be doing this, and I actually only finished reading the book last week.

"There are some things in there that are very confronting, but they happened. I'm very proud of my mum for putting this together.

"It's a healing process I think for many people."