You Duped Me, O Lord - Fr. Hugh Duffy's Blog
You Duped Me, O Lord

 

 

 

Paperback | 342 pages
ISBN 978-8-385-23994-8
$29.00
Order the Paperback from Wipf and Stock Publishers.
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The book is also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Amazon Store – $29.00
Barnes & Noble – $29.00

 

 

 

You Duped Me, O Lord

 

 

 

 

In this engaging memoir, Father Hugh Duffy chronicles his more than fifty-year journey as a Catholic priest, revealing the complex and often painful struggle between his vocation to serve the gospel and navigating the institutional church. From his early days establishing charitable programs in Ireland to his later years visiting parishes across America, he unflinchingly examines how the church’s institutional structure can often work against its own mission to maintain gospel values. Through vivid personal accounts, he reveals his battles against corruption, false accusations, and abuse of power while retaining his unwavering commitment to serve those in need. The title, drawn from the prophet Jeremiah’s lament, reflects Duffy’s own wrestling with a calling that led him along unexpected and challenging paths. This is not merely a critique, but rather a heartfelt plea for reform and renewal. Written with both candor and compassion, this memoir offers an insider’s perspective on the Catholic Church’s internal conflicts while pointing forward toward hope for its future. The story speaks to anyone who has ever found themselves caught between institutional power and their deepest convictions, reminding readers that true service requires courage to stand firm in the face of opposition. With a Foreword by actor Martin Sheen.

 

 

Reviews
 

 

 

”This is a very timely book. It needed to be written and it needs to be read—not to shame the church, but to help reform it by calling it back to its foundational mission. I commend this remarkable memoir to believers and skeptics alike.” 

— Martin Sheen, American actor.

”In an era where disillusionment with established institutions runs deep, You Duped Me, O Lord resonates far beyond the Catholic audience. It speaks to anyone who has grappled with the gap between institutional ideals and realities, offering a roadmap for maintaining one’s core beliefs in the gospel while advocating for change from within. This memoir is a timely contribution to ongoing discussions about faith, institutional integrity, and personal resilience in the face of systemic challenges. Readers will find in these pages a candid exploration of the priesthood, a nuanced critique of the Church, and ultimately, a reaffirmation of faith’s transformative power. It’s a reminder that the pursuit of gospel truth and authentic practice far outweighs institutional failings.” 

— Richard Grigonis, Internationally-known author and technologist.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

Fr. Hugh Duffy holds a Ph.D from the University of Hull, England. Born in Donegal, Ireland, he was ordained in 1966 in Dublin, Ireland. He is pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Okeechobee, Florida, where he served for thirty years and whose parishioners consisted of a multi-ethnic community. Before retiring as pastor, he built a new church, debt free, for the community of Sacred Heart in 2013. 

Fr. Duffy also founded Christian Community Action (CCA) in Ireland to provide a concrete way of implementing the Corporal Works of Mercy in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25. Thus, CCA built housing for seniors, a sheltered workshop and bakery for people with disabilities, a community center, and a treatment center for people with addictions. From 2013 until 2019 he was an Outreach Speaker for Cross International, a 501(c)(3) Catholic relief and development ministry. His website is FatherDuffy.com.