Four decades earlier, as a young boy, Mr Gogarty had been abused by defrocked priest James Fletcher.

Now the outspoken child abuse survivor and long-term advocate has written a memoir of his early life, his campaign for justice for all victims of child abuse, and his search for a better future.

“Catholic Priest James Patrick Fletcher was convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault against a child after a courageous young man spoke out in the early 2000s,” the Vacy man said.

“It was his lead that prompted me to speak up and to start to agitate for justice for all victims of childhood sexual abuse.

“The rest is history.”

However, Mr Gogarty said his book – Judas Church: Memoir of a Shy Young Fellow – might not be what people expected.

“It’s not really an autobiography, or a chronology of my campaign for justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy – nor is it a typical self-help style of book,” Mr Gogarty said.

“Rather, it is in part all of those things and more. It does not have a start or finish, and it was my intention that people could read chapters or topics that grab their attention.

“It is my fervent hope that this book will help people understand a little more about child abuse and that those who have suffered through it will gain an extra level of hope for their future.”

Mr Gogarty said the book looks at his life across three time frames.

For the past decade, and following the conviction of James Fletcher, Mr Gogarty has been a regular and persistent advocate for all child abuse survivors.

He has claimed they deserve justice and accountability from those who let the scandal occur.

“I think it is my new-found sense of confidence which has pushed me to write this book, and I hope it is of ­benefit to others,” he said.

The book is available on the internet at www.judaschurch.com/storage/JUDASCHURCHFLYEROrder.pdf 

A book signing has been planned for Saturday, November 1, at McDonalds Book Sellers, Maitland.