BOOK REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 35
JULY, 2020 | ISSUE 313 | Qsaltlake.com
the bookworm sez REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
Confessions of a Gay Priest BY TOM RASTRELLI, C.2020, UNIV. OF IOWA PRESS, $19.95 / 328 PAGES
You spent days examining your life. Sins: that’s what you were looking for How had you displeased God? How many lies, covets, dishonors? What have you done since — oh, when was your last confession, anyhow? They say the sacrament is good for your soul, and in Confessions of a Gay Priest by Tom Rastrelli, there’s a lot to tell. Though he’d always known that he liked boys, little Tommy Rastrelli pretended the opposite when he was in gradeschool because marriage was what good Catholics did.
q scopes JULY BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
No one is having a lot of great times at the moment despite what the calendar says. Simple pleasures are defining life right now so find fun small things that pack a big punch. Everything you’ve been working for is paying off slowly but surely. Take a positive outlook on life.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
Even if you’re having some trouble, there are some great solutions in-store. The way back to normal is a bumpy one covered with a lot of good intentions. Set some boundaries and even some “safe words” when dealing with friends you don’t trust. Your decisions matter most.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
When things heat up, they really heat up. Whether you like it or not, the world is trying to get you engaged with some intense deals. Get out there and enjoy what you can with
His family was devout and Rastrelli never questioned God’s love. Not even after, he says, he was repeatedly molested by a doctor in his Iowa hometown. For several reasons, he never told his parents about the abuse, enduring it for years until he’d convinced them that he was too old for a pediatrician. That God hadn’t saved him from a predator made Rastrelli slowly lose his faith and his self-respect. He stopped attending Mass and began questioning the Church’s teachings. But then God called a shocked Tom Rastrelli to the priesthood. It happened while he was at college, and the whole idea quickly consumed him. Gone was the plan to major in theatre; instead, Rastrelli began to explore a world steeped in mystery and ritual, but overlaid with fear. Always believing that testimony against the doctor could save others from
the same abuse, Rastrelli took legal action, knowing that scandal could ruin his chance to attend seminary. There were many things undiscussable, in fact, and the court case was only half of it. As he progressed in his journey to ordination, the secrets included priestly kisses, caresses, and soft lies that a “backrub” was just a backrub. At nearly every gathering, Rastrelli was approached for sex or touched inappropriately, led to believe that celibacy had wiggle-room, plied with alcohol or favors, and left to deal with it alone. He fell in misguided love. And then he fell into a deep depression, with only one real way out... Confessions of a Gay Priest is a hard, hard book to read — it’ll make you squirm, it’ll make your eyebrows raise, you’ll want to toss it on the street and let semis run it over and yet, it’s stay-up-all-
anyone you can. The parties are hopping and the lulls are relaxing. Engage your friends and loved ones.
and don’t fret compromise.
CANCER June 21–July 22
Pondering the biggest questions is vital right now. There are no better answers than the ones you come up with on your own. Seek a path where the goal is to pleasure yourself in ways you’ve never considered before. Where there’s a will, there’s a way in the realm of self-realization.
LEO July 23–August 22
Take a chance with a friend or lover with a crazy idea. Nothing can be gained by playing things safe. The surest way to have a good time is by throwing caution to the wind. But be aware that dangers do exist, and sometimes it’s worth a little sacrifice in order to keep the party going.
VIRGO August 23–Sep. 2
Long before the dust clears, some kind of conflict is bound to emerge in an ongoing battle. It could be a personal or work-related matter. But whatever happens, try to be fair. Nothing can be gained if the truth isn’t the first principal. Try to be the diplomat
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
In the blink of an eye, the world could present you with a great opportunity. Taking advantage may seem automatic but take a moment to weigh in on all options. Some things are too good to be true, but be willing to find the stepping stones to a better life. Look twice and jump once Libra!
SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21
A one night fling could lead to some sting. Don’t be careless with a personal encounter even if your heart is telling you how to feel. Protect what really matters and don’t be afraid to lay down the law. At the end of the day, there is a great reward that presents itself in the form of love.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22–December 20.
The time has come to see a child or loved one for the grown-up they’ve become. No one has been more protective than you, but you both need space to get your bearings right now. Even if you don’t have full control, you are gaining much more than you realize: a sense of accomplishment.
night compelling. Beginning with his ordination (so you know-don’tknow the end of the story), author Tom Rastrelli tells a tale that will further shock Catholics already reeling from church-related scandals. This book, however, is not written in the same manner as is a diocesan document: Rastrelli is sometimes extremely graphic, both in the bedroom and in his various emotional states. He doesn’t pull back the curtains on his experiences, he rips them down and burns them. He used pseudonyms, but tells details before softening his harshness with beautiful language, strong faith, and poetic distractions that play with a reader’s sympathy. You can’t beat a book like that, though its graphic nature needs to again be underscored. For a reader who can endure a panoply of squirms, Confessions of a Gay Priest is worth deep examination. Q
CAPRICORN Dec 21–Jan 19
Believe a friend who is telling you the truth about a convoluted situation. The best way to overcome the lies you’ve been hearing is to confront those who you suspect and act accordingly. There is nothing wrong with some healthy confrontation but try to keep emotion out of the conflict.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18
Take care of money matters during this time. The desire to spend on quality is never a bad thing. But there comes a time when going with a little less is bound to provide a better future down the road. Spend some time with the comforts you already know. Hold a BYOB gathering.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
Process information that you are hearing about yourself but draw your own conclusions. There is no better person to figure you out than yourself. Even being a little lost right now, the truth of what you stand for is right in front of you. Go solo for a bit and take matters into your own hands. Q
