A memoir by Paul Thompson
No more Altered Boys
Paul Thompson is the author of this book. He was unwavering as a Roman Catholic student. He was a leader in his school. Paul attended Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic elementary school in the west end of Toronto. He was the winner of the Toronto CWL public speaking contest; and attended Michael Power High School in Etobicoke.
It took Paul 50 years to come to grips with the trauma, stigma, resulting aftermath, and PTSD of the years of sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother’s brother Father Clair Tipping.
This sexual abuse took place shortly after the sudden death of Paul’s father in 1965. At fifteen Paul still grieving from the loss of his hero dad was forced into a sexual relationship with his priestly uncle Father Clair Tipping. The sexual abuse started at the Tipping family cottage. The cottage (Pictured here) was known as ” The Manor”
The sexual abuse lasted for what seemed at the time to be an eternity.
Mark Twain once said. “There are two important days in your life. The day you were born and the day you find out why you were born.”
On April 12, 1973, Paul found out why. He extricated himself from the abusive sexual relationship with his uncle, Father Clair Tipping. He did this by leaving Toronto.
Paul escaped to Jasper, Alberta for a college work term. He knew he had to get away and write this book. What he did not know then was that it was going to take another 47 years to complete the book, No More Altered Boys.
It was the summer after his dad died.
He was invited to “The Manor” the family cottage of his uncles and granparents. It was on Lake Simcoe. Paul and Father Clair were all alone cavorting, no horsing around in the water. Normal horseplay between an uncle and nephew.Right?…
The scorching sun, the power of the water the playful rough housing with his uncle things seemed almost like normal, didn’t they?
For some strange reason Father Clair’s hands were grabbing, rubbing, tugging at Paul’s crotch. Clair was grinding his hands into Paul’s penis. Paul was feeling uncomfortable.
Weeks later an invitation was forthcoming to come and spend a weekend at Father Clair’s rectory.
It was Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, 291 Cosburn Avenue in Toronto. Paul accepted. Pick up was Friday.
Stay still after mass Sunday. Help where he could. Sound good? Sounded good.
It was his first time ever in Father Clair’s rectory.
The pastor, Father John Miller was away for the weekend.Father Clair gave Paul a quick tour of the rectory. Then he said, “this is your room”. Paul dropped his club bag on the bed.
Go get ready. We can watch TV together in my room. Got it?
Down the hall was Father Clair’s room. A big room.
Paul dug out his pajamas. Just leave your pajamas off come in naked.
Paul left his underwear on. Paul also put his pajamas pants on.
Here are twelve of the one hundred questions that the author has posed in the Ordination Quiz:
1. What called you to become a priest?
7. Are you aware the priests and brothers of the Roman Catholic Church have sexually abused thousands of people all over the world?
15. Do you understand the term abuse of power?
16. Are you familiar with the term complicit?
17. Define the word incest.
23. Do you understand the term celibacy?
24. What are the vows a priest takes upon ordination?
25. Do you understand that the vow of celibacy for priests means that you will not have sex?
26. Do you understand the term pedophilia?
27. Can you live without sex?
35. If your bishop told you to be quiet when you knew a fellow priest was having sex with a boy or young man would you keep silent?
46. Are you aware that in Canada the priests of the Roman Catholic Church sexually abused hundreds of aboriginal children in their care in the residential schools?
(Pictured here is Saint Augustine’s Roman Catholic Seminary, in Toronto’s east end)
No More Altered Boys
A Memoir of Paul Thompson’s life
Coming Soon: Online and in Bookstores