Faith

Faith by Jennifer Haigh
Harper Collins 2011

Having been brought up Catholic and having brought up two teenage sons during the years that the scandal in the church was just coming to light, I was interested in reading a story from the point of view of a family member of an accused priest. In Jennifer Haigh’s Faith we have Father Arthur Breen, a model priest, son, brother, ultimate rule-follower who is accused of molesting a young boy whose family he’s been helping out. His half-sister Sheila narrates the story as events unfold. During Holy Week in 2002, Art is summoned to the headquarters of the Boston Archdiocese, told he’s been accused of something inappropriate, not given the name of the accuser, and told that he’s to immediately vacate Church premises, move to an apartment they’ve rented for him, and placed on leave. He is stunned by the allegation, but true to form, obeys his orders. Because much of what happens in our childhood affects us later in life, it’s important to learn about Art’s past. Probably the most life-altering occurrence was his father walking out of his life forever when Art was just a baby. This one, irresponsible and thoughtless act left young Art with no father figure to look up to, other than a family friend who happened to be a priest. When Art was in his teens his mother married Ted McGann, a man who viewed Art as being in the way. Always knowing he wanted to join the priesthood, Art joined the seminary as soon as he was of age, was ordained, and “served without incident” in a number of parishes throughout the archdiocese until these accusations. Art grew up having intimacy issues and being confused about his own sexuality.

When he is accused, some of his family members believe in his innocence while others were on the fence. At first Sheila is certain Art could not possibly have committed such an act, while her brother Mike seems to believe the charges right from the start. Although Art insists he did not commit the crime for which he is accused, he does not appear to be defending himself, and this leads Sheila to wonder why.

Jennifer Haigh weaves a thoughtful, thought provoking human story about what happens when you wrong someone. Its familiar Boston area setting makes it feel as though you’re reading about your own neighborhood. And as you read this tragic story, it makes you wonder if perhaps some of the clergymen accused were actually innocent, but settled their cases to make them go away.

- Elaine