Hidden Mercy

AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear

By: Michael J. O'Loughlin

Narrated by: Michael J. O'Loughlin

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The 1980s and 1990s, the height of the AIDS crisis in the United States, was decades ago now, and many of the stories from this time remain hidden: A Catholic nun from a small Midwestern town packs up her life to move to New York City, where she throws herself into a community under assault from HIV and AIDS. A young priest sees himself in the many gay men dying from AIDS and grapples with how best to respond, eventually coming out as gay and putting his own career on the line. A gay Catholic with HIV loses his partner to AIDS and then flees the church, focusing his energy on his own health rather than fight an institution seemingly rejecting him.

Set against the backdrop of the HIV and AIDS epidemic of the late 20th century and the Catholic Church's crackdown on gay and lesbian activists, journalist Michael O'Loughlin searches out the untold stories of those who didn't look away, who at great personal cost chose compassion.

This is one journalist's - gay and Catholic himself - compelling picture of those quiet heroes who responded to human suffering when so much of society told them to look away. These pure acts of compassion and mercy offer us hope and inspiration as we continue to confront existential questions about what it means to be Americans, Christians, and human beings responding to those most in need.

©2021 Michael J. O'Loughlin (P)2022 eChristian

Faith in Action

What became evident during this horrific time was those whose faith propelled them to help those in need, versus the institutional church that was only concerned with the survival of the institution (and it’s rules) without any adherence to what it was called to be in the first place. The book was a reminder of a period of time I lived through and I thought it was very well done and respectful. O’Loughlin’s quest to have a written history is admiral, but it also reminds me of all the stories that were never told or forgotten, but this book helps. If you listen to this book, which I highly recommend, be prepared for feelings to surface regarding the topic, for good and/or ill, and think about what are they saying to you. It is a thought provoking book and a challenge to how we interact with those that are seen as “different” or a threat to one’s perceived idea of how people are to be within society; I guess we haven’t learned much because I would say it is even worse today, which is sad. Yet, that is one of the core messages in the book, dialoguing with the “other” to understand each other, even if you don’t agree, it is about the dignity of the person, and for some, to recognize each as a child of God without the baggage of dogma the Church promotes. Like I said, this is a thought provoking book. Read/listen to it and see what you get from it. Highest Recommendation!

Memory Lane Renewed

The heartfelt narratives and relationships of love. It’s all about loving relationships. Thank you for your research.

Beautiful Storytelling

Through rich and beautiful storytelling, this book provides insights into those who were called to live and carry out God’s grace to those most in need – people living with and dying from AIDS. As someone that came out slightly after the height of the AIDS epidemic, I realized how uninformed I was about the role of the Church during this period and the angels that provided ministry to my community. I was lifted to read about their bravery, authenticity, love, care, compassion and how they made choices that were, at times, in conflict with the institution. Well done. I hope there is a follow-up book with more interviews from others. Highly recommend.