{"product_id":"confessions-of-a-gay-priest-a-memoir-of-sex-love-abuse-and-scandal-in-the-catholic-seminary-paperback","title":"Confessions of a Gay Priest: A Memoir of Sex, Love, Abuse, and Scandal in the Catholic Seminary - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eTom Rastrelli\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTom Rastrelli is a survivor of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse who then became a priest in the early days of the Catholic Church's ongoing scandals. \u003ci\u003eConfessions of a Gay Priest \u003c\/i\u003edivulges the clandes­tine inner workings of the seminary, providing an intimate and unapologetic look into the psychosexual and spiritual dynamics of celibacy and lays bare the \"formation\" system that perpetuates the cycle of abuse and cover-up that continues today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnder the guidance of a charismatic college campus minister, Rastrelli sought to reconcile his homosexuality and childhood sexual abuse. When he felt called to the priesthood, Rastrelli be­gan the process of \"priestly discernment.\" Priests welcomed him into a confusing clerical culture where public displays of piety, celibacy, and homophobia masked a closeted underworld in which elder priests preyed upon young recruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom there he ventured deeper into the seminary system seeking healing, hoping to help others, and striving not to live a double life. Trained to treat sexuality like an addiction, he and his brother seminarians lived in a world of cliques, competition, self-loathing, alcohol, hidden crushes, and closeted sex. Ultimately, the \"for­mation\" intended to make Rastrelli a compliant priest helped to liberate him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTom Rastrelli\u003c\/b\u003e is director of digital communications at Willamette University. He lives in Salem, Oregon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 328\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x 8.9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 15, 2020\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42152042528903,"sku":"9781609387099","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/c4e7e181d42ebfeb87edf107de9bc12b.webp?v=1733211149","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/confessions-of-a-gay-priest-a-memoir-of-sex-love-abuse-and-scandal-in-the-catholic-seminary-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}