Nobody's Child

Michael Seed should have received what every child deserves: love, care and attention, and the chance to be just what he was - an innocent young boy. Instead, from as far back as he can remember, Michael's childhood was nothing but a daily ordeal. His fight for survival against a brutal and emotionally deranged father threatened to destory his childish innocence and break his potent young spirit. He was starved and tortured, and forced to become a sex slave to his father, at the age of five, and after his mother's horrific suicide, fell victim to constant and terroible bullying at school. Grandparents, who might have offered protection and love, added to his misery and bruises with callous and calculated cruelty and for years he lived with the constant idea of his own suicide. Yet despite this appalling start in life Michael refused to surrender, and with incredible resilience and determination grew up to become hugely successful and influencial in both the church and the secular world. After a lifetime of silence, he now feels able to tell a story that, although shockingly painful, is a blazing testament to one human's raw courage, and his remarkable ability to finally triumph over the horrors of a stolen childhood.

After his horrifying start in life, Michael Seed, a friar priest of the Franciscan order, went on to achieve three university degrees and two doctorates, and has served at Westminster Cathedral for 23 years as Secretary for Ecumenical Affairs under the late Cardinal Hume and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. Known as the priest to the stars, he is an established amd familiar figure in Parliament and a regular visitor to Downing Street, having been on friendly terms with the last six Prime Ministers. He is also equally at home in the Vatican, the City, Buckingham Palace and in the world of show business, and is leading supporter of many charities, including The Passage, the London centre for the homeless. In 2004 Pope John Paul II awarded him the highest Vatican award - the gold cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifica - for his contribution to international ecumenical and inter-faith affairs. He is also a well known speaker, newspaper columnist and the author of several books.