Jim Biteman at age 14 with his abuser Fr. Patrick O'Donnell
St. Paul's Parish School, Seattle
Eighth Grade
Graduation
1977
Seattle Archdiocese
Sinner’s Due
I trusted you and what you stood for,
You were God in all kid’s eyes.
We knew no better at such a young age,
But realize now the pack of lies.
You and your church committed the sin,
Against God and an innocent me.
From child to child you wreaked your havoc,
The Church turning their eyes so they wouldn’t see.
You were the closest thing to God for a boy my age,
You groomed me and gained my trust.
But the devil resides inside your head,
I was a victim of your pedophiliac lust.
I’ve lived in this cell for decades alone,
Ever-changed from your sins upon me.
I will never know what I would have become,
Or the real person that I will never be.
You took from me more than those moments,
You took from me what was to be my life.
The pain inside was too much to bear,
Your name cuts me like a knife.
For all those years you abused us young boys,
Never giving thought to the damage you lay.
Well the time has come for you to fess up,
Yes, you sinner, it’s time to pay.
Both you and your church have hidden these sins,
But are now being called to task.
Revenge is not what I seek from you,
Justice is all that I ask.
For the rest of your life you will pay for your sins,
As I have paid for your sins so far.
You changed who I would become in my life,
Now it’s time for you to reveal who you are.
The gates of heaven will be void of you O’Donnell,
Your name will never be spoken.
For you made the choice to journey to hell,
For all those childhoods that you’ve broken.
You and the Church will walk the fiery path,
You’ll feel the heat of the devil’s flame.
Rest assured you sinner’s sinner,
The devil already knows your name.
Jim Biteman
4/7/03