- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton; Export ed edition (14 May 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 034092506X
- ISBN-13: 978-0340925065
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
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- #79 in Books > Biography > Social & Health Issues > Sexual Abuse
Beyond Belief
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Colm O'Gorman is one of the most inspiring and dignified voices heard in Ireland in recent times. He has triunphed over sexual abuse.' (Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of the Republic of Ireland. )
'a powerful and moving story and Colm tells it so articulately in print and interview.' (ABC Radio National Life Matters )
'a powerful and moving story and Colm tells it so articulately in print and interview.' (ABC Radio National Life Matters )
Product Description
'I was living in a world where a priest who spoke the words of God used me for sex, and there was no-one to tell. The world where this horror happened didn't exist for anyone else.'
As a boy in Ireland where everyone - from among his own neighbours to the powers of church and state - chose to deny that a priest could sexually assault a child, Colm O'Gorman felt only shame, guilt and fear at the regular rape and abuse he suffered.
But Colm would go on to make history, successfully suing the Roman Catholic Church, asking questions of the Pope himself and creating a watershed in history as hundreds more victims found the courage to report their abuse.
Beyond Belief is a powerful story of a young man's shame turning to outrage, and demonstrates that - whatever our past hurts - there is hope for the future if we are prepared to stand for truth.
As a boy in Ireland where everyone - from among his own neighbours to the powers of church and state - chose to deny that a priest could sexually assault a child, Colm O'Gorman felt only shame, guilt and fear at the regular rape and abuse he suffered.
But Colm would go on to make history, successfully suing the Roman Catholic Church, asking questions of the Pope himself and creating a watershed in history as hundreds more victims found the courage to report their abuse.
Beyond Belief is a powerful story of a young man's shame turning to outrage, and demonstrates that - whatever our past hurts - there is hope for the future if we are prepared to stand for truth.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A powerful read. I couldn't out this book down once I started reading it. It is compelling, emotive and so very inspirational. A must read.
From what could have been a horror story full of abuse and hurt, O'Gorman has written a powerful book full of hope and possibility. He challenges the reader to be all that they can be, to speak up and speak out - to change the world. His story made me believe I could, his life shows that we all can, if we chose to.
His description of his relationship with his Dad speaks powerfully of love and the bond between a father and son which has the power to work through any difficulty. I was moved to tears and to above all hope as I read of their reconciliation and of the power of their mutual love and respect.
You must read this book!
From what could have been a horror story full of abuse and hurt, O'Gorman has written a powerful book full of hope and possibility. He challenges the reader to be all that they can be, to speak up and speak out - to change the world. His story made me believe I could, his life shows that we all can, if we chose to.
His description of his relationship with his Dad speaks powerfully of love and the bond between a father and son which has the power to work through any difficulty. I was moved to tears and to above all hope as I read of their reconciliation and of the power of their mutual love and respect.
You must read this book!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While I knew much of the author's story because of media coverage, this book was a real revelation. By being very honest, and laying bare his own motivations and history, the author manages to show the corruption and lack of outrage that he faced when he went public with his story of abuse. He shows how so many people knew what was going on, but did nothing to stop it. He shows how the hierarchy of the church did little to deter priests who had previously been accused by other children.
In the end, he calls us to action, to bring the church to take responsibility for the devastation it has caused by it's own inaction.
A must read. You won't believe it.
In the end, he calls us to action, to bring the church to take responsibility for the devastation it has caused by it's own inaction.
A must read. You won't believe it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I had reservations about reading this book as I normally don't enjoy reading accounts of abusive childhoods. While I understand the need for the authors to have their stories told, they usually make for uncomfortable reading leaving me feeling a little voyeuristic and even a little guilty. My reading time is meant as an escape from the daily drudge so the last thing I want to read is something that will bring me down. Nevertheless I read it on the recommendation of a like-minded friend and I am so glad I did.
The author starts by describing his early using the most wonderful imagery, bringing the sights, smells and tastes of his childhood alive but also very subtly expressing an innocence and naivety, not with him but by his family and community, that permitted sexual abusers to enter his life and fill it full of poison and despair. However the focus of the book is not on how society let him down and let this happen, this is a story about a man who wanted to change society so it would never happen again, and that is exactly what he did.
This has to be the single most inspiring story I have ever read, yes it made me cry but it also made me laugh out loud. This not a depressing account of abuse and pain but an encouraging tale of bravery, of standing up to the Church, of refusing to be paid off and go away. It is a really easy book to read and I would certainly read anything else he writes as he has real talent for writing. He makes you feel like you are there every step of the way, never getting letting the story get too upsetting or in later stages too bogged down in legalities and court hearings. It's a fascinating tale that everyone should read and I couldn't recommend it more.
The author starts by describing his early using the most wonderful imagery, bringing the sights, smells and tastes of his childhood alive but also very subtly expressing an innocence and naivety, not with him but by his family and community, that permitted sexual abusers to enter his life and fill it full of poison and despair. However the focus of the book is not on how society let him down and let this happen, this is a story about a man who wanted to change society so it would never happen again, and that is exactly what he did.
This has to be the single most inspiring story I have ever read, yes it made me cry but it also made me laugh out loud. This not a depressing account of abuse and pain but an encouraging tale of bravery, of standing up to the Church, of refusing to be paid off and go away. It is a really easy book to read and I would certainly read anything else he writes as he has real talent for writing. He makes you feel like you are there every step of the way, never getting letting the story get too upsetting or in later stages too bogged down in legalities and court hearings. It's a fascinating tale that everyone should read and I couldn't recommend it more.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The title says it all
Colm O'Gorman was the man who sued the Pope and helped ignite the huge scandal that arose about sexual abuse committed by priests in Ireland. It is a shocking story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Matthew Hosier
A thought provoking read
A concisely written but harrowing account of the sexual abuse of a child, Colm O'Gorman by his parish priest, Father Sean Fortune. Read more
Published 17 months ago by D. Mcmahon
THE PERFECT TITLE FOR THIS BOOK
Being a Roman Catholic this was a book that on one hand I was very nervous of reading but on the other hand felt that I had to learn the truth. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Gaby62
why
it is an interesting story and is relevant for today. The titles states it all about a church that is in denial about it last sins
Published 21 months ago by R. E. Knight
Beyond Belief
This book was available in hardback cheaper than in paperback, which I thought might be a mistake, but it arrived quickly and as described. What more could I ask?
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by P. Elliston
Beyond Belief.
Well balanced and Harrowing.A very good impleling read.I was dissapointed at the end though. When Colm went to Brazil and Decided to do nothing about the suffering of the Children... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2009 by L. J. Parsonage
Easy to read, hard to hear, yet a must read!!
This book was the best book I have read in a long while. Although I love reading it has always been something that is hard to do because of my dyslexia, but when I got this book... Read more
Published on 31 July 2009 by Ms. C. Preston
"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do...
Conclusive proof that the Catholic church has for decades put the protection of its own power and wealth ahead of any concern for the protection and care of its own followers, let... Read more
Published on 30 July 2009 by rpincowes
Beyond Belief
Beyond Belief: Abused by His Priest. Betrayed by His Church. The Story of the Boy Who Sued the Pope.
Well worth a read. Read more
Well worth a read. Read more
Published on 22 July 2009 by D J Davies
A fantastic read
A Powerful read and an expose of the corruptness and lack of integrity of the Catholic Church from the Pope down.
Published on 7 July 2009 by Jm Mcevoy
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