Young boys and girls are sexually abused by Father O'Halloran at a parish church choir in Melbourne. A secret self-help society, The Apocrypha, is organised by victims Ashley and Keith at their school. The Society members engage in a bizarre Competition while Secretary Keith records the offending priest's abuse in notebooks.
The secret Society is discovered, raided by teachers and Ashley is interrogated by the Principal. A young "Apocryphal" suicides at school and O'Halloran is quickly removed by church authorities to a mountain retreat where he experiences, he believes, a magical epiphany.
Years later, Ashley and Keith and their girlfriends, Samantha and Felicity, all "survivors" and all damaged, navigate life in their twenties as best they can. Ashley studies law at Melbourne University. He graduates and joins the Victorian Bar, while continuing to struggle with his demons and living with Keith, now a drug addicted but talented street artist.
Ashley and Keith, encouraged by Samantha and Felicity, reluctantly initiate criminal proceedings against their abuser. But after so many years, who is willing or able to give evidence and be cross-examined? Will the Apocryphals bring O'Halloran to account once and for all and finally achieve "justice" or will their old demons resurface to make life miserable again?
About the Author :
Bryan Keon-Cohen was educated in Melbourne where he still lives with his wife June, three daughters and five grandchildren. He graduated in Law/Arts at Melbourne University (1973); lectured at the Monash University Law School (1974 - 77); and worked with the Australian Law Reform Commission in Sydney (1978 - 80). He joined the Victorian Bar in 1981 and practiced as a barrister for 35 years. He took silk in 1996 and was awarded an AM for services to the law, particularly in human rights, in 2012. His book, written for the layman - A Mabo Memoir: Islan Kustom to Native Title (Zemvic Press, 2013) was the basis of his PhD awarded by Monash University. This memoir concerned his experiences acting for the plaintiffs in the ten-year native title High Court case, Mabo.
Review :
A pall of mental trauma hangs over the "Apocryphals", a group of boys from a Roman Catholic College in Melbourne. The trauma is slowly revealed to the reader by leader, Ashley. The only way to join this group of "Apocryphals" is to be sexually abused by Father O'Halloran. By a series of time warps, this becomes apparent. One of the boys is unable to cope, and has taken his own life. The remaining members of the "Apocryphals" are all severely damaged to the point they are unable to function. - Keith was, "into drugs and stuff, sometimes sleeps rough, even cuts himself."
Ashley becomes a lawyer and is pushed on by Samantha to expose Father O'Halloran. He knows she is right. However, he is held back for fear of hell and damnation if he does. The way of the Catholic Church at the time was to transfer sexual offenders. When O'Halloran is moved on, the Church has to decide what to do with him - "the question is what to do with you (Father O'Halloran) - those who place their trust in you. Something has to give."
Eventually the offending priest is arrested, and the police officer says to him, "No doubt you'll.....demand every privilege.....everything you denied those boys." The Church will play a part in what happens next. Does he get committed? Does Ashley find a life far away from his nightmares?
This book, The Apocrypha by B.A. Keon - Cohen deals with the distressing subject of sexual abuse in a very different manner and makes it a compelling read.
Judith Flitcroft, author of Walk Back in Time
So many young lives forever damaged. Innocence trampled in evil hypocrisy of lust masquerading as servant of God.
Compelling, honest insight into courageous, sexually abused young lives fighting for justice.
Review Vivian Waring, author of When Tears Ran Dry)
