Meriden resident and author Brian Walsh has a unique perspective on the Papal conclave now happening in the Vatican City — he's written about it in his book "The Crumbling Empire."
Walsh's suspense thriller is based on his personal experience as a student at Regis High School in New York City where he says he was a victim of clergy abuse.
"What happened to me is a very telling story. I went into deep shock. I didn't talk about it. I never told anyone about it," said Walsh.
Decades later, Walsh has written about Ben Clancy, a victim of clergy abuse compelled to reveal his secret when his former teacher becomes the first North American pontiff. Determined to fight the Vatican power, Clancy turns to a support group that includes other victims and clergy abuse advocates to help him seek justice.
"It's about the heroics of having faced a personal holocaust and then having suffered for innumerable years, to get through that and then finally to see the lights go on," Walsh said. "To emerge from that very heroically and very honestly to become a decent good guy who recoups all his dreams."
No longer a practicing Catholic, Walsh admits he has not lost his faith either.
"It's been a journey for me," he said. "I have, I think, deeper faith than I've ever had in my life."
He's already written a follow-up to The Crumbling Empire, titled The Song of Revolution. The story is based loosely on civil unrest in the world including the Arab Spring and Occupy Movement.
Walsh is also an accomplished musician, something he works into the new novel.
The Crumbling Empire, which was co-authored by M.W. Satchell (Walsh's sister), is available for purchase on Amazon.com. For more information on upcoming book signings and appearances check out www.fourpillarsmediagroup.com.
