'Watkins has achieved something that few memoirists can, laying bare a disturbing history with compassion and humanity. 'Tell No One' is an important story that demands to be told.'
Monica Dux, author of 'Lapsed'.
The Walkley's are the Australian equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizes
‘This powerful and superbly written debut by Brendan Watkins takes the reader on a confronting & gripping journey from the very first pages. Brendan’s narrative voice is compelling throughout, leading the reader to understand the unbridled power and control that the Catholic Church has over children of priests.
Thought provoking and confronting, Watkins peppers his own story with excellent research on the treatment and outcomes for the children of priests. It is a brilliant and must-read book about a global protection racket for priests and their children, and the mothers who paid the price.’
Suzanne Smith, author of 'The Altar Boys' & 6x Walkley Award–winning journalist
ADVOCACY RESPONSE
'Tell No One' was published on 8 August 2023. The ABC TV Compass episode focusing on Brendan’s story, 'Hidden Children' was aired in parallel. As a consequence of the book and follow-on media revelations, Federal Minister David Shoebridge called on the Australian Attorney General to commence a formal inquiry:
"There clearly needs to be an inquiry which has the power to compel the truth out of the church.”
“We cannot leave these people who were literally stolen at birth by the church to do this fight alone. This is a matter that I think needs to be closely considered by the Federal Attorney General and by the federal government.”
(Reference: ABC News Australia)
Read the correspondence between Senator Shoebridge & Attorney General Dreyfus HERE
Former Catholic nun, philosopher, theologian and author, Dr Doris Reisinger, joined Shoebridge and Vanish, an Australian adoption advocacy agency to call for an independent public inquiry into the treatment of the children of priests and their mothers.
Additionally, scores of denied sons and daughters of the church have made contact, some coming forward to share their stories publicly.
