The Cemetery of My Mind

This important second edition was re-energized by the recent Academy award-winning movie, Spotlight. The author, and victim himself, set out to uncover why and how the Church could choose to ignore those it is supposed to protect. He exposes and documents the secrets the Church has hidden for close to a hundred years. He further relates, from a personal experience, how the binding orders from the last eight Popes, the supreme shepherds of the Church, continue to protect the Church itself and abusive priests, thereby failing the core responsibilities of the Church's foundation - to protect their flock from evil. From the First Edition: A great 4.9 stars-a must read-M Lomas WBEN Buffalo This book is well written and informative. The author's honesty explains the way things were, he does not attach blame, but this book invites the reader to take seriously this evil against children...-Brother Ignatius Feaver, OFM, Cap. Former administrator at St. Francis Table and the Capuchin Franciscans. ... [T]riumphant memoir of his path towards healing. ... all stories contribute to the panorama of a full life ...from a boyhood replete with abuse to an adult spent helping others confront and overcome it. ... [T]his worthwhile memoir movingly portrays one man's courageous life. ---Kirkus Reviews ...It's a book of hope and survival, good and evil, intertwined with stories about the early days in Niagara-on-the-Lake, before it became the tourist mecca it is today. ...He paints a vivid picture of life in a small town, where everyone knew everyone else, -Niagara Advance "The exorcising of Bill's childhood demons is a heartwarming success story. His youth, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, getting in and out of more adventures than Tom Sawyer. A target of a pedophile priest at an early age, Bill has channeled his adult energies into working with victim's outreach programs as well as publicly challenging Church hierarchies to "clean out the decay".... Bravo! -Jim Derbyshire [Y]our book ... was extremely moving! I commend you for having the courage and determination.... The book is very well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed your adventures as a young boy. -Cathy Simpson, Director - Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library Bates explains-he does not blame. Bates and his wife, emerged as leaders in ... goading the Church to admit its sins of commission and cover-up. ....Bates has done an admirable job of dredging up memories buried in the cemetery of his mind, presenting them in an entertaining and informative fashion.-Waterloo Regional Record- Jim Romahn is a Kitchener writer. ... [Bates] revisits his past through the benefit of self-analysis, endurance, and self-motivation. The early years in the "historical paradise" of Niagara-on-the-Lake... escapades which he describes with fondness and humor... the full disclosure of a second abuse is related ... the ultimate betrayal...The urgency, despair and search for understanding come alive in these passages. ... finding a way that helped not only him but others who have been damaged. -Cheryl Froud. BA, BLS This book holds your attention throughout its entirety. An honest true story that depicts one's life from childhood, through adulthood, mixed with humor, intelligence and spearheaded by a young man who so gallantly was able to rise above his painful youth... He along with his wife, were able to contribute to society with their involvements in many groups to help other people ...Once you start the read, you will be taken in with childish devilment, smiles, tears and finally with success.- Myra Block ...I have been reading your book and find it fabulous -Jim Smith, Niagara Historian