Holy Hell

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by Patricia Feenan


  On the afternoon of the 12th of November, the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, announced that a nationwide Royal Commission into the handling of child sexual abuse by religious and other institutions was to be held, the most comprehensive inquiry into institutional abuse of children in Australia’s history.

  Relief!

  “This was my beloved son

  in whom I was well pleased.”

  Patricia Feenan has been described as a strong and resilient woman. She has needed to be. Mother of four sons, a grandmother and teacher, she decided to write this story as a testament to her eldest son’s courage in deciding to come forward and give evidence against a paedophile priest. Raised in a traditional Catholic family, she was totally unprepared for the shock of denial and ostracism by the church community. An advocate for victims of clergy sexual abuse, she is committed to making sure that her family’s lonely experience will never be repeated.

  Her mantra? “He picked the wrong woman’s son to abuse!”

  She also has another life where she enjoys travel, reading, gardening and quiet times in her home in the Hunter Valley.

  Daniel Feenan has three beautiful children, he works very hard in his chosen career, his life isn’t always easy but he is well and happy.

  Words, once published, have a life of their own.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Foreword

  1 The Long Wait for Justice

  2 Daniel’s Happy Childhood

  3 The Arrival of Father Fletcher to Our Parish

  4 The Priest’s Developing Interest in Our Lives

  5 Changes in Daniel’s Behaviour and Unexplained Incidents

  6 Unwise Decisions and Personality Changes

  7 Alcohol Abuse and a Suicide Attempt

  8 First Domestic Relationship

  9 New Job, New Romance

  10 The Disclosure of Abuse and Its Impact on Daniel’s Life

  11 The Decision to Approach the Police with Allegations of Abuse

  12 The Police Investigation Begins with Further Betrayal from the Church

  13 The Anguish of Giving A Police Statement

  14 The Arrest of Father James Patrick Fletcher

  15 The Legal Preparation for the Trial and a New Victim Emerges

  16 Loving Support but Not From the Church

  17 The Trial Edges Closer and a Joyous Family Wedding

  18 The Trial Commences and Daniel Takes the Witness Stand

  19 Cross Examination and Great Courage

  20 Prosecution Witnesses and Good Friends

  21 The Defence’s Case and We Meet the Other Victim

  22 Final Addresses by Prosecution and Defence

  23 The Judge Sums up the Case and Instructs the Jury

  24 The Long Wait for a Decision by the Jury

  25 The Verdict

  26 Emotion and Relief

  Epilogue. Sentencing and Appeals

  Postscript

  About the Author

 

 

 


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