Catholic World News News Feature

Priest-Author Flees Home After Death Threat October 29, 2001

GLASGOW, Oct 29, 01 (CWNews.com) - A Scottish priest, who has published a book detailing the sexual abuse he suffered as a child, has fled his church following an attempt on his life.

Father Steve Gilhooley's book, The Pyjama Parade, details the abuse he suffered at the hands of a priest when he entered St. Mary's College in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, in the 1970s. One of the priests involved has since been jailed for his crimes.

After several threats and attacks on his home in Currie, Midlothian, Father Gilhooley, 39, asked his superior, Archbishop Keith O'Brien, to transfer him to an overseas retreat before the controversial account was published.

But the crunch came when a device was attached to his car.

His brother, Francis, told The Scotsman newspaper, "People can't imagine the pressure he has been under. He has had phone calls threatening his life, heavy breathing calls and his car was badly smashed with a potted plant thrown through the window."

He added, "But the most frightening thing of all was when his car was tampered with. A petrol can with crocodile clips was attached to the battery so that when he started the car it would explode. Thankfully, we spotted it in time and reported the incident to the police."

Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, denied claims that Father Gilhooley had been sent away in order to silence him. He said, "Father Gilhooley was feeling the strain over the ordeal of writing the book and having it published. He wanted to take a break and the Church was happy to assist him. It's ludicrous to suggest he has been silenced-- he would be completely free to talk if he wanted to."

Lothian and Borders Police confirmed officers are investigating incidents at Father Gilhooley's home. A spokesman said, "We are aware of offenses committed at Father Gilhooley's home. They were investigated but no-one has yet been charged. We are taking the incidents very seriously."

Father Gilhooley agreed to testify against Father Francis Bligh but was spared the ordeal after the priest pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.