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Rating: 
Summary: In 2002, A Very Important Book
Review: As the Catholic Church is again rocked by priest sexual abuse scandal in 2002 and the situation has now become explosive as a result of the absolutely intolerable (yet not surprising) arrogance of some members of the clerical hierarchy, this is an excellent book to gain perspective by. Michael Harris documents the story of the Newfoundland Orphanage, Mount Cashel, and the Irish Catholic Brothers who abused countless numbers of their charges -- without reprove -- for at least a twenty year period from the 1970's onward, While reports first were made in the mid-seventies and attempts were made to take legal actions as abuse became known, the Brothers enjoyed the protections of the blind-eyed legal system and members of the Catholic faithful that had set them on a pedestal. Charges were quashed over and over and police reports were re-written lest the "powerful Church" become alienated in Newfoundland. At the same time in the U.S., cases were becoming public at an unpredented rate charging members of the Roman Catholic Clergy with an epidemic of sexual abuse allegations. As a result of this last wave of Clergy Sexual Abuse, the Catholic Church promised change. Reporting and investigation polices were established to be certain that there was never again such an arrogant denial and insensitivity when cases came to light. The late Cardinal Joseph Bernandin even subjected himself to the scrutiny of the review policies that he had set in place in his own Archdiocese when he was falsely accused of sexual abuse. He was innocent, yet he felt that he had committed his diocese to the new policies and he must be an example of how they are to be practiced. Bernardin was highly praised for his humility and his willingness to "practice what he had preached." Yet now again in 2002, we find that some Bishops and Cardinals were only paying lip service to the policies that had been set in place over a decade ago. Among the worst offenders, the esteemed Cardinal Archbishop of Boston who continued to systematically practice denial, obfuscation and who continued to demonstrate little regard for the victims of priestly abuse in his Archdiocese. From Boston a new wave of explosions arose across the country and in other nations. We await the outcome. At this point American Catholics are found to be far less forgiving than they were a decade ago. When and how will this arrogance end? A re-reading of Michael Harris' book (or perhaps a first reading) along with Jason Berry's book, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" might be required assignments for every Catholic leader in the Church (including the Pope!). Perhaps some eyeopening reading -- along with personal liability and true consequences for failure to report abuse -- might be a good first steps. At the very top of any priorities must be the interests of the victims of these crimes. They have been repeatedly abused, as children, and have been again as adults, when seeking action for what they were made to suffer only to suffer attempts to make them out to be unfairthful liars. As proud and historically significant as the Catholic Church had been, the time for true and profound changes is now -- not a century from now! These decisions can no longer be optional, nor can they be subjected to the whim of the Pope -- or any of the other members of the official Catholic hierarchy. The Catholic laity must be heard! And, it is doubtful that this time they will be too quick to be content with efforts to cease the discussion! Harris' book is an important part of the canon of excellent books on Religious Abuse in North America. Well written, highly readable and extremely compelling!
Rating:
Summary: In 2002, A Very Important Book
Review: As the Catholic Church is again rocked by priest sexual abuse scandal in 2002 and the situation has now become explosive as a result of the absolutely intolerable (yet not surprising) arrogance of some members of the clerical hierarchy, this is an excellent book to gain perspective by. Michael Harris documents the story of the Newfoundland Orphanage, Mount Cashel, and the Irish Catholic Brothers who abused countless numbers of their charges -- without reprove -- for at least a twenty year period from the 1970's onward, While reports first were made in the mid-seventies and attempts were made to take legal actions as abuse became known, the Brothers enjoyed the protections of the blind-eyed legal system and members of the Catholic faithful that had set them on a pedestal. Charges were quashed over and over and police reports were re-written lest the "powerful Church" become alienated in Newfoundland. At the same time in the U.S., cases were becoming public at an unpredented rate charging members of the Roman Catholic Clergy with an epidemic of sexual abuse allegations. As a result of this last wave of Clergy Sexual Abuse, the Catholic Church promised change. Reporting and investigation polices were established to be certain that there was never again such an arrogant denial and insensitivity when cases came to light. The late Cardinal Joseph Bernandin even subjected himself to the scrutiny of the review policies that he had set in place in his own Archdiocese when he was falsely accused of sexual abuse. He was innocent, yet he felt that he had committed his diocese to the new policies and he must be an example of how they are to be practiced. Bernardin was highly praised for his humility and his willingness to "practice what he had preached." Yet now again in 2002, we find that some Bishops and Cardinals were only paying lip service to the policies that had been set in place over a decade ago. Among the worst offenders, the esteemed Cardinal Archbishop of Boston who continued to systematically practice denial, obfuscation and who continued to demonstrate little regard for the victims of priestly abuse in his Archdiocese. From Boston a new wave of explosions arose across the country and in other nations. We await the outcome. At this point American Catholics are found to be far less forgiving than they were a decade ago. When and how will this arrogance end? A re-reading of Michael Harris' book (or perhaps a first reading) along with Jason Berry's book, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" might be required assignments for every Catholic leader in the Church (including the Pope!). Perhaps some eyeopening reading -- along with personal liability and true consequences for failure to report abuse -- might be a good first steps. At the very top of any priorities must be the interests of the victims of these crimes. They have been repeatedly abused, as children, and have been again as adults, when seeking action for what they were made to suffer only to suffer attempts to make them out to be unfairthful liars. As proud and historically significant as the Catholic Church had been, the time for true and profound changes is now -- not a century from now! These decisions can no longer be optional, nor can they be subjected to the whim of the Pope -- or any of the other members of the official Catholic hierarchy. The Catholic laity must be heard! And, it is doubtful that this time they will be too quick to be content with efforts to cease the discussion! Harris' book is an important part of the canon of excellent books on Religious Abuse in North America. Well written, highly readable and extremely compelling!
Rating:
Summary: Very truthful
Review: Having grown up in newfoundland and being present there while the Mount Cashel scandal came to light and underwent inquiry, I can assure the other reviewers that this book is indeed truthful. The circumstances the book describes are so incredibly shocking that I can readily understand why readers would have skepticism regarding its basis in reality. That just makes the story so much more worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Very truthful
Review: Having grown up in newfoundland and being present there while the Mount Cashel scandal came to light and underwent inquiry, I can assure the other reviewers that this book is indeed truthful. The circumstances the book describes are so incredibly shocking that I can readily understand why readers would have skepticism regarding its basis in reality. That just makes the story so much more worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Unholy Orders:Tragedy at Mount Cashel
Review: i lived through a similar orphanage childhood in artane school dublin city ireland,1949-58.owned ,run by the same religious order,the irish christian brothers.cruel wicked evil beyond my own ability to put into english language.i wish mr harris would make a docu-drama narrative about artane industrial school thank god for courageous journalists and publishers.
Rating: 
Summary: The author did his best but didn't understand nuances.
Review: The author did a lot of work in writing this book. His research was accurate but his findings were often off the mark because he just didn't understand some of the nuances. He painstakingly went over all the data, included accurate quotes, and came to mostly accurate conclusions. Unfortunately, some of his conclusions missed the mark. A good effort. He should be congratulated for his effort if not for his conclusions.
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