Not since his runaway bestseller, The Cardinal Sins, has Father Andrew Greeley written such a searing and topical novel about the state of the Catholic Church The Priestly Sins tells the story of Father Herman Hoffman, a gifted and innocent young man, who becomes swept up in "the Crisis" after witnessing child abuse in his first parish appointment. Soon, he is vilified for denouncing a priest who has been "cleared." He suffers the harsh fate of a whistle-blower when his Archdiocese has him committed to a mental health center. After his release, Father Hoffman is exiled by the Church to Chicago were he begins his graduate studies in immigrant history. There he encounters the legendary Monsignor Blackie Ryan, who helps him regain his confidence and demand a parish of his own. Reluctantly, the Church hierarchy assigns him to a dying parish. With zeal and charm, he revives the local church. His brief idyll is shattered by a subpoena to testify in a court hearing. If he speaks he will have to once again take on the establishment that is determined to destroy him. He faces exile not only from his parish but from the priesthood itself.
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"After witnessing and reporting a case of child abuse Father Herman Hoffman is committed to a mental hospital. When released and given a parish of his own he is served with a subpoena that will challenge the scanity of the confessional and could get him expelled from the priesthood." — Fredrick (5 out of 5 stars)
"After witnessing and reporting a case of child abuse Father Herman Hoffman is committed to a mental hospital. When released and given a parish of his own he is served with a subpoena that will challenge the scanity of the confessional and could get him expelled from the priesthood."
“A fascinating novelist...with a rare, possibly unmatched, point of view.
Greeley writes with passion and narrative force.
" I thought this book was ok but I probably wouldn't recommend it to others, unless they're really interested in the Catholic Church's response to the sexual abuse cases. "
" excellent story! handled a real life situation with intelligence and grace... cameo appearance by Bishop Blackie a great plus! "
" Very predictable read. Most likely will not read another Greeley novel. "
" My husband and I both listen to this on a recent trip. It is a great book. If you are Catholic you will understand more. However, it is for everyone. "
" Prescient. Also taught be about "Volga Deutch"--which I found interesting as I have both Russian and German in my background. "
" Wonderful book a pyschological edge of your seat- I can't put it down- amazing ending- novel. "
" An inside view of the cover up of pedephiles in the Catholic Church and the Russian German Community. Not all priests have problems but the press makes it seem so in order to bring into light the cover ups by those in authority. "
" A good story about sexual abuse in the priesthood. Father Hugh Hoffman characterization is outstanding. The best work of Andrew Greeley to date. "
" this is one insightful novel about what goes on behind 'closed doors'..geesh! "
" Not one of his best. About a priest who witnesses a pedophile priest preying on an altar boy "
" Good information on pediphilia in and out of the church. Typical Greeley good read. "
" My friend Zack lent me this book. I was a little skeptikal at first but was sucked in right away. I can't wait to read more! "
Andrew M. Greeley is an Irish American Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and popular novelist. His first work of fiction to become a major commercial success was the 1981 novel The Cardinal Sins, followed by the Passover trilogy. Thereafter, he wrote a minimum of two novels per year on average until 2009, when he was hospitalized for a head injury.
Oliver Wyman is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. He has won five Audie Awards from the Audio Publisher’s Association, fourteen Earphone Awards, and two Listen Up Awards from Publisher’s Weekly. He was named a 2008 Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared on stage as well as in film and television, and he is a veteran voice actor who can be heard in numerous cartoons and video games. He is one of the founders of New York City’s Collective Unconscious theater, and his performances include the award-winning “reality play” Charlie Victor Romeo and A. R. McElhinney’s cult classic film A Chronicle of Corpses.
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