Ashley Loeb Blassingame
ckimmich@lionrockrecovery.com (Ashley Loeb Blassingame, Stephen Donnelly)
The Story of a Catholic Priest Living Two Lives - Beloved by His Community & Addicted to Cocaine
The Story of a Catholic Priest Living Two Lives - Beloved by His Community & Addicted to Cocaine
The Story of a Catholic Priest Living Two Lives - Beloved by His Community & Addicted to Cocaine
Tuesday 21st September 2021
Stephen Donnelly recounts his journey from Catholic priesthood to overcoming cocaine addiction on 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast'.
Explicit
65 minutes
Inspiring
Hopeful
Informative
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Supportive
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Author:
Ashley Loeb Blassingame
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Get the buttons here!Stephen Donnelly: A Priest's Battle with Addiction and Path to Redemption
As I fell down, I got back up, I fell down, I had different issues in my life, with addiction and women, and Today I know that the god of my understanding loves me, supports me, forgives me and carries me through Today and with the grace of god, Tomorrow and The Next Day.
What happens when a beloved Catholic priest finds himself ensnared by the very vices he preaches against? Stephen Donnelly's life is a tale of two worlds colliding—one of faith and service, and another of addiction and secrecy. In this episode of 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast', Stephen sits down with host Ashley Loeb Blassingame to share his raw and unfiltered story.
From his early years of drinking and drugging to his unexpected call to the priesthood in his 30s, Stephen's journey is anything but typical. Ordained at 42, he stood before God and his congregation, making vows he found increasingly difficult to keep. Just three years into his priesthood, Stephen's double life spiraled out of control with cocaine and alcohol abuse. It wasn't long before his addiction became public, prompting fellow priests to intervene.
Multiple rehab stints later, Stephen emerged as a transformed man, well-known in Alcoholics Anonymous circles as the 'Irish priest with a problem'. His memoir, 'A Saint and a Sinner', dives deep into themes of repentance, regret, and ultimately, redemption. In this episode, Stephen talks candidly about the intersection of faith and addiction, the Catholic Church's approach to recovery, and the challenges of celibacy. He also opens up about a significant relationship that led to his suspension from the church.
Yet, through all the turmoil, Stephen's story is one of hope and resilience. He credits his faith and the unwavering support of his community for helping him turn his life around. For anyone grappling with addiction or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption.