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Chris Damian

Chris Damian

Chris Damian is an attorney and writer. He holds a Juris Doctor and a master's degree in Catholic studies from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. His work has appeared in Commonweal, Church Life Journal, Logos and other publications. He also writes at chrisdamian.substack.com. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram: @cdamianwrites.

By this Author

Mark Joseph Williams, an abuse survivor, speaks during a Nov. 15, 2022, session of the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. (CNS/Bob Roller)

Catholic clergy abuse survivor details his story in tender new book

In Torrent of Grace: A Catholic Survivor's Healing Journey after Clergy Abuse, Mark Joseph Williams contributes to a concerningly limited literary genre in the church: clergy abuse survivor narratives.

Alana Chen died by suicide in 2019. Although church officials deny engaging in "conversion therapy" with her, Alana's mother says representatives of the church encouraged her daughter to suppress her sexual orientation. (Photo courtesy of the family)

'Dear Alana,' hit No. 1 on Apple Podcasts. Are church leaders listening?

In his podcast "Dear Alana," Simon Kent Fung explores Alana Faith Chen's life and death — coming to realize that her story is all-too-relatable for many at the hands of conversion therapy in the Catholic Church. 

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