The Shadow Free Podcast

Bob tells his story of being sexually abused by three different perpetrators, and his resulting anger, grief, and loss, and how he moved beyond all of that to come out of the shadows and into the light.

Chris O'Leary was sexually assaulted by parish priest Leroy Valentine over the course of several years beginning when Chris was nine years old until he was twelve. Some years later when Chris told his story of abuse to Timothy Dolan, who was at the time bishop of St. Louis, Dolan told Chris that there was no way that Father Valentine could do anything so horrible as Chris suggested. Dolan later went on to become archbishop of New York and was appointed cardinal by Pope Benedict. Father Valentine was later removed from his priestly ministry amidst several allegations and litigation against Father Valentine. Join me as Chris recounts his story of abuse, denial and dismissal by Dolan and other archdiocesan officials, and as Chris tells how he was able to move out of the shadows and not let the abuse and neglect of the Church to control him.

Jason Jerry is a well-spoken advocate for victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy and is himself a survivor. Join me as Jason tells his powerful story of victimization, a bottoming-out, and a call to advocacy that pulled him out of the shadows. Read about Jason's story at https://greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2019/02/08/catholics-abuse-norbertines-jason-jerry-green-bay-llama-news-survivor-speaks-out/27477719002

Watch a powerful video of Jason's story at https://youtu.be/sxaFlb6lry4