Purity, hypnosis and hiding — how a gay teen survived Opus Dei

Hollywood actor Tim Pocock was tricked by his dying, devout mother into undergoing gay conversion therapy. After she died, Tim finally learned how to be himself, without fear and self-loathing.

Tim grew up under the thumb of his charismatic, pious mother.

He went to a school with links to the controversial, secretive and conservative Catholic organisation, Opus Dei.

There, he desperately tried to hide his sexuality, and was ruthlessly bullied for his musical and stage talents.

Despite Tim's success in Australian opera, television, and in Hollywood blockbusters, he continued to harbour many secrets about himself and his family.

One day his mother, who loved Tim deeply in her own way, and who was dying from ovarian cancer, convinced her only son to come with her to therapy. 

Instead of finally being able to talk about his struggles, Tim found himself being tricked into gay conversion therapy.

For the last few months of his mother's life, he went to be hypnotised by a 'Catholic psychologist' every week, until eventually she died, and Tim was set free to learn how live by and for himself.

Further information

The Truth Will Set You Free: Growing up gay in Opus Dei is published by Hachette.

You can stream the Four Corners report into schools with ties to Opus Dei, which features Tim, on ABC iview.

The Pared Foundation's full responses to questions from Four Corners can be read here.

Opus Dei Australia provided Four Corners with this statement.

Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris and presented by Richard Fidler. The executive producer is Nicola Harrison.

This episode explores sexuality, LGBTQI+, homophobia, family dynamics, books, writing, mother-son relationships, shame, the Church, infidelity, cancer, death, grief, losing a mother, acting, a career in acting, memoir, epic life story, origin story, Marvel, Wolverine, Cyclopse, Dance Academy, Tangara, Redfield.