EBOOK
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WHY PUNISH ME? A first-hand account of clerical abuse
Michael Moloney tells the story of how, as a vulnerable altar boy, he was psychologically and physically abused by Catholic priests. He traces the origins of clerical abuse all the way back to one of the most influential of Church Fathers, Saint Augustine of Hippo.
In 2021, the UK Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published a dossier of abuse in religious institutions, revealing that the church remains mired in safeguarding and clerical abuse scandals. Yet, by law, every school in Britain must take part in a daily act of Collective Worship. And, every year 20,000 pupils are assigned faith school places against their families' preferences.
The author explores Augustine's 4th century ideology and suggests drill and doctrine might play a more influential role in child abuse and adult mental well-being than has generally been recognised in mainstream social science. This book fills a gap in the shelf, lifting the lid on a story of abuse and religious indoctrination, which continues to this day.
Michael Moloney tells the story of how, as a vulnerable altar boy, he was psychologically and physically abused by Catholic priests. He traces the origins of clerical abuse all the way back to one of the most influential of Church Fathers, Saint Augustine of Hippo.
In 2021, the UK Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published a dossier of abuse in religious institutions, revealing that the church remains mired in safeguarding and clerical abuse scandals. Yet, by law, every school in Britain must take part in a daily act of Collective Worship. And, every year 20,000 pupils are assigned faith school places against their families' preferences.
The author explores Augustine's 4th century ideology and suggests drill and doctrine might play a more influential role in child abuse and adult mental well-being than has generally been recognised in mainstream social science. This book fills a gap in the shelf, lifting the lid on a story of abuse and religious indoctrination, which continues to this day.