Roman Catholic Jacuzzi
Written by Michael Bullock
Portriat by Benjamin Fredrickson
Published by Karma, 2012
Roman Catholic Jacuzzi is an autobiographical novella recounting my accidental discovery of the annual secret retreat of closeted homosexual priests. The story depicts the closing evening of their weeklong stay, when celebrations culminate in a drag-disco dance party. As a gay, former catholic altar boy, I was outraged at the priests for furthering the Church’s anti-gay teachings that oppressed me as a teenager. I took this unusual opportunity to directly confront their hypocrisy. After an intense 24 hours, I experience firsthand that the priest themselves are among the most harmed by the Church’s extreme homophobia. I left the retreat surprised by my unlikely compassion.
"Groundbreaking. The first honest look at sexuality in the Catholic Church."
"Hair-raising, funny and disturbing. It took me back to my Jesuit high school retreats, the football locker room, how you made first string and my fear of the Passionist Order. A must read for Catholics and those who love one."
"Both hilarious and highly discomforting! It reminded me why to this day I still don’t regret having refused Holy Communion when I was six years old."