Children at Saint Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington, Vermont suffered incredible abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church, author Christine Kenneally reveals in her new book "Ghosts of the Orphanage: A Story of Mysterious Deaths, a Conspiracy of Silence, and a Search for Justice."
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Kenneally, speaking on Greater Boston, described the abuse as "violent and unhinged," detailing stories of children being thrown down the stairs or held outside windows upside down as a punishment.
"They suffered emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse and at the time, it was completely invisible to the outside world," Kenneally said.
Kenneally said this type of abuse was not exclusive to Saint Joseph's, and happened at other orphanages around the country. She said both priests and nuns were abusive, and a culture of obedience, silence and protecting the church encouraged predators. She said many people did not believe the children's stories. That's why she wanted to write the book.
"Every story led me to another story and each more incredible than the last," Kenneally said.
Watch: New book reveals haunting details of abuse at Vermont orphanage run by Catholic Church
