October 22, 2012
Bill Christman?saw himself as defective, but he wasn?t sure why. Alcoholism, anger issues, and two failed marriages led him to the brink of suicide. Then at age 35 repressed memories of sex abuse surfaced from the past, which sparked a profound journey of healing and forgiveness.
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| Bill Christman |
?I was hoping I was just crazy,? Bill Christman said, when repressed memories first surfaced of his sexual abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest. Bill?s father died when he was only six, and the priest offered to be a father figure to him and his older brother.
Father Wiebler took the boys on fishing trips, swimming at Buffalo Beach on the Mississippi River, and they played pool together in the rectory. ?I thought it was wonderful that Father Wiebler offererd to spend time with my sons,? Billy?s mom, Mary, noted. ?I felt he would be a good adult role model for Jeff and Billy.?
Behavior problems surfaced almost immediately following the abuse and continued for three decades, all recounted in heartbreaking detail in his book, ?Forgiving the Catholic Church? (WinePress Publishing).
As a young person he often awakened with feelings of dread ? that something bad would happen. By the time he was in high school, he drank heavily, became a rage-driven brawler with his fists, and often got in trouble with the law.
In adult life, he alternated between alcoholism and work holism. One night he awakened to find his first wife with her hands on him, attempting to exorcise demons while he slept. ?I freaked,? he wrote. ?The idea of someone casting demons out of me scared me to death. I took it as an extreme violation and we got into a vicious fight.?
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| Mark Ellis is a senior correspondent for ASSIST News Service and the founder of www.Godreports.com.? He is available to speak to groups about the plight of the church in restricted countries, to share stories and testimonies from the mission field, and to preach the gospel. mark@Godreports.com |
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Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 2,000 newspaper and magazine columns, articles and contributions to books. He is also a widely known motivational speaker and pulpit guest who utilizes enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems makes him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089.
By Bill Ellis
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