Danny’s Boys

By Charley Heenan

Their Church. Should they stay or should they go?

Tommy Dunleavy and his life-long friends, 20-somethings in a northeast Philadelphia parish, have no idea their beloved pastor is an abuser, not until his best friend’s younger brother dies by suicide after filing a rape complaint.

Shocked and guilt-ridden, friendships splinter. The “did he or didn’t he” debate rages in the neighborhood. Tommy knows Father is guilty. Despite his friends leaving the Church, he’s confident that once the investigation is completed and wrongs are righted, everything can return to normal.

Then the accused priest is reinstated.