BOOK

The Murder of Innocence: The Truth about Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church


Michael Unglo died on May 4, 2010, but his life had begun to slip away from him long before. In 1981, shortly before Michael’s 10th birthday his father died of a heart attack, a great loss that ultimately led to yet another great loss. The loss of innocence.

From the ages of 10 to 14, Michael fell prey to a Catholic priest who exploited the family’s tragedy for his own twisted desires. Child sexual abuse leaves deep emotional scars that are greatly amplified when the perpetrator is a trusted member of society.

Throughout his too short life, Michael struggled to overcome the pain and trauma of his childhood. In 2008 after his first suicide attempt, he finally unveiled the truth about what happened. Unfortunately, it brought him face-to-face with another betrayal. The church met Michael’s accusations with self-righteousness, and justice would not be served.

Much needs to change. Michael’s death can be a powerful catalyst for that change. He may be gone but his writing is still here, in the pages of this book.

Michael’s words are his legacy. His brother Sam Unglo’s words are a promise kept — that Michael’s words would someday be published. Well good for all of us that day has finally come. And while the church was the primary culprit, Michael’s story helps us to understand how parents, members of society, and child abuse advocates can make the world safer for the most vulnerable among us.

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Powerful and Heartbreaking

FivestarsNew

“A touching true story about youth, religion and the haunting effect of sexual abuse. Shockingly honest, Sam Unglo strips away the veneer of the Catholic Church, exposing the raw underbelly of an institution we trusted blindly for so long.

If you’re like me, Michael’s struggle through abuse will both sadden and galvanize you, and leave you asking why things ever had to be this way.”

— Q. Ryan Smythe

A necessary read to understand the complexity of abuse
in the Catholic Church.

FivestarsNew

"The Murder of Innocence by Sam Unglo is an incredible, raw, heart-wrenching book. Within it, there are moments of great joy, however, where the author, with great timing, adds poems, meaningful quotes or a picture of Michael. I read it in one tear-filled day. This book was incredibly difficult to read, as Michael was my classmate at All Saints Catholic School. Michael and I went to school picnics together, played basketball, ran around the neighborhood, and was the first boy I ever kissed under a bridge near Pine Creek. I can still see him coming over the hill down to my house, eating a sandwich and yelling something back to his mom. I can see Michael beside me, holding my hand in 8th grade, in line at Kennywood Park. We are waiting to ride the Bayern Curve. Michael is dancing to “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie. It had to be 1983/84. Still, when I hear a Lionel Richie song, I think of Michael. When we played basketball with the neighborhood kids, even if he was on the opposing team, he would guard his own players to let me go in for the hoop. The kids would say, “C’mon Mike!” He would laugh and smile. I will never forget when he was on break from college and came to my front porch, hair disheveled with that beautiful, unforgettable grin. I never knew of Michael’s abuse during those years. Through his smile, he silently suffered, and that is what hurts my heart the most. The depth of Michael’s death has impacted all of his classmates deeply. It also has impacted the faith of many. I, too, have stepped away from the Catholic Church, as Sam Unglo has, directly because of the crimes committed against Michael, as well as the organized cover-ups by the church.

This book offers an in-depth look at the systematic crimes committed by the Roman Catholic Church. To say it is eye-opening is an understatement. It is a transparent story written by a grieving brother, a pain I sadly know also. It made me look back at our childhood in a way that surprised me deeply. Many prayers offered up to Michael’s family and to those who are hidden from our sight, silently traumatized. While this book is an incredibly sad account of Michael’s life, it is most importantly a book of advocacy. The author’s bravery to write this book can never be measured. Despite his own grief, he pushes through, unraveling an incredibly complex account of what was hidden behind closed church doors. May God have mercy on the administrators of the Pittsburgh Diocese for the role they played in Michael’s loss of life. Everything we do in life has an impact on others. Be kind. You never know who silently suffers. It is also vital for readers to know that Richard Dorsch did not only commit crimes against Michael, as the book explains. There were several boys who were raped and sexually assaulted from All Saints Catholic School at the hands of Dorsch. It is sad to drive past the church, All Saints. Once every year or so, I do. And I say out loud, “House of horrors.” What an oxymoron, no? A horrible name to call a church building, where love is supposed to live. And for that I apologize. However, it was the reality for Michael, and other classmates.

To Michael’s Family: Many nights I have prayed for you through the years. I am so sorry. To Sam: God smiles on you. Never forget, He is near to the broken-hearted. The strength it took to write this book inspires many. To Michael: Fly high; may freedom carry you to new heights each and every day. —Xo.

— Julie M.

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