So I was very close to ordination. I was delighted to be ordained a deacon, which is the last step between, before becoming a priest. But then it all fell apart. Thomas Keneally closedeacondelight Change image and share on social
Australia integrated the - brought on the ships and unleashed in the society the dogs of sectarianism, which had existed in other places - in Glasgow, in Liverpool and of course in Ireland, north and south. Thomas Keneally australiabringdog share on social
And I think my sexuality was heavily repressed by the church, by the, you know, the design of the mortal sins. Thomas Keneally churchdesignheavily Change image and share on social
In a way Australia is like Catholicism. The company is sometimes questionable and the landscape is grotesque. But you always come back. Thomas Keneally australiabackcatholicism Change image and share on social
And I found both literature and the church very dramatic presences in the world of the 1950s. Thomas Keneally 1950schurchdramatic Change image and share on social
Thomas was my true name but everyone knew me as Mick, except my mother, who knew me as definitely Michael. Thomas Keneally knowmichaelmick Change image and share on social
My brother arrived some months after my father left. Um, and he ah, was thus eight years younger than me and it was um, you know, it was such a time that my mother probably had people wondering was it his. Thomas Keneally arrivebrotherfather share on social
And I was very interested in the priesthood. Thomas Keneally interestpriesthood Change image and share on social
So I remember both medicine, because I frequently sick, particularly with asthma for which there was no proper treatment then, and in religion I had a strong sense of there being a patriarchy. Thomas Keneally asthmafrequentlymedicine Change image and share on social
So nonetheless given the importance that was placed on sport in Australia, I wanted to be part of that scene, particularly since I had felt very strongly in my early schooling being marginalised even in the Catholic school. Thomas Keneally australiacatholicearly share on social
