“Spotlight” opens in limited-release today. This movie about the Pulitzer-prize winning Boston Globe journalists who broke the clergy abuse story may finally raise awareness to the level of outrage needed to create real change, if not in the Church, in our laws regarding the statute of limitations.
Because I’m not a victim, many have wondered about my passion for this cause. While being a Catholic and a mother is certainly enough of a reason, it’s also because I began my career as a journalist. I worked as an editor with the Catholic Standard and Times – the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cardinal Bevilacqua was the publisher during my six years there. I worked with talented, dedicated, loving people of deep faith who sacrificed better pay and work hours to spread the news and the truth of the Church.
Years later, I know the absolute evil that was taking place just floors above us. It is enraging and sickening. That’s betrayal that every Catholic should feel. Harder to imagine is the pain of those children who were raped by trusted and adored priests and then raped again by the cover up that continued past 2011 in Philadelphia.
Many would like to believe that it’s all better now. But Father Paul situations tell us that things aren’t better yet. After allegations, he was left as Pastor of Our Lady of Calvary without parents’ knowledge of an investigation. Is this the transparency that was promised? Those allegations were eventually deemed credible. He is no longer a priest. Criminal charges were not pressed due to the statute of limitations. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference continues lobbying against statute of limitation law reform. The Church is still siding against children. And. Father Paul can live anywhere he chooses.
Please see this movie. Please join the many voices demanding real change. The Church must choose to protect living children along with the unborn.
Reblogged this on Voice of the Faithful ®.
Bill Donahue, the smacked a$$ leader of the Catholic League, has already started his spin machine. It wasn’t pedophilia – it was homosexual priests and men. Let’s bash the lawyer that sued the Boston Archdiocese. Let’s bring to the forefront that others religions have abuse claims. Typical Donahue BS.
Some day I hope to meet Donahue – so I can plant a swift kick into the balls.
I’m glad i’m not the only one who is offended every time Donahue speaks. It is so painful to realize that he is the face of Catholicism in so much of the media. i cringe when he speaks. Can’t he, just every once in a while, display a smidgen of what Christianity is really about?
No matter how donohue tries to put a positive spin on this it won’t work, I hope to be there when you meet the ‘ mound of sound ‘ ! A total “BS” artist !
The fact that the RCC doesn’t publicly disavow Donahue says everything.
In addition, I wonder if Bevilacqua is rotting in Hell.
owlfan you are in line behind me.
We hope everyone will see the “Spotlight” movie. Tragically these crimes and cover ups within the Catholic church around the world continue to this day.
Judy Jones, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) 636-433-2511. snapjudy@gmail.com,
KEEP UP UR GOOD WORK, SUSAN. AS A SURVIVOR MYSELF SOME 78 YEARS AGO, IT HAS NEVER LEFT MY MIND,HEART OR SOUL AND I PRAY FOR THE CHILDREN OF TODAY. I AM DISTRESSED BY SO MANY THINGS IN THE CHURCH, I CALL MYSELF A CHRISTIAN AND FOLLOW JESUS ON HIS HOURNEY TO REACH ETRNITY. IT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN COPE….AND DAILY LOTS OF PRAYERS FOR THE KIDS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE WORLD. SINCE THE POPE;S VISIT I HAVE BEEN DELUGED WITH GOD BLESS U REQUESTS FOR MONEY AND I THINK THAT WAS THE REAL PURPOSE OF THE POPE;S VISIT. THERE WAS SOMENEWS INT HE PUBLIC PRESS ABOUT ANOTHER SCANDAL COMING OUT OF THE VATICAN RELEASED MY AN ITALIAN MONSIGNOR AND A SPANISH PRIEST. CAN U SHET ANY LIGHT ON THIS?? BLESSINGS ON U, DEAR MOTHER.WITH ALL THAT’S GOING ON IN HARRISBURG LEGISLATOR THEY COULD CARE LESSABOUT KIDS…ONLY KEEPING THEIR JOBS AND NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB AT THAT. THE COUNTRY NEWS WAS THAT DCA LEGISLATORS HAD ANNOUNCED THEIR COLENDAR FOR 2016 AND WILL ONLY BE IN DCA FOR 111 DAYS NEXT YEAR. GOD HELP OUR NATION AND OUR STATE WITHHTHIS REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE, PATCHY
Count me in for going to see this movie as soon as I can. I am so glad it is “out there” for all to see.
I have decided to see the movie, but am anxious about how will impact me emotionally. I was a victim in Boston in the 60’s. This is so close to home. I’m hoping that I can handle it. 2 priests from my childhood parish, 1 from my grandmothers parish, and the pastor at the new parish we got when our church was closed are on the list
Well seeing as I live in Australia, I don’t know that it will even be shown in my area as it is not coming out here until next year. I certainly would like to see it even though it might upset me. But really upsets me is that the likes of James Dobson and Billy Graham seem to have either little or nothing to say on the matter, while Dobson in particular is forever going crook at popular culture.
I guess all those going crook at Bill Donohue won’t be any happier with Dave Pierre: http://www.themediareport.com/2015/10/26/sins-of-the-press-boston-globe-reporting-on-sex-abuse/
Even worse, his new book debunking the new film Spotlight gets only positive reviews at Amazon! : http://www.amazon.com/Sins-Press-Untold-Reporting-Catholic/dp/1511852593
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151108_Annie_McCormick_s_husband_pleads_no_contest_in_groping_case.html Connect the dots between Harrisburg Judiciary Chairman ‘ron marsico’ (who refuses to address current SOL / Survivor Legislation) , greelee associates lobbying firm for the rcc /chaput, the DA marsico, laicized priest guy d. marsico and andrew marsico who pleaded ‘ no contest ‘ to lesser charges after his very qualified attorneys brokered a deal beneficial to him and he keeps his law license ! The bishop of Harrisburg mcfadden and the Judiciary Chairman ron marsico were golfing buddies, how corrupt is PA ?
Nolo contendere is a legal term that comes from the Latin for “I do not wish to contend.” It is also referred to as a plea of no contest. In criminal trials in certain U.S. jurisdictions, it is a plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes a charge, serving as an alternative to a pleading of guilty or not guilty. A no-contest plea, while not technically a guilty plea, has the same immediate effect as a guilty plea, and is often offered as a part of a plea bargain.[1] In many jurisdictions a plea of nolo contendere is not a right, and carries various restrictions on its use. andrew marsico is an attorney and knows its ramifications !
In many ways “no contest” makes it harder to pursue civil suits and suits by other survivors. But its basically saying guilty but avoiding some of the consequences of their crimes. By being a coward and not taking full responsibility for their crimes. The predator I helped put in jail plead no contest as he knew a civil suit had been filed besides a criminal suit Jesus said say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no and everything else is from the devil.
The movie was excellent. The actors depicted the emotions of top notch and caring investigative reporters. It is amazing that one can sit there an know what happens next because we are so close to the truth of the deception and lies. I am glad that Fr.Tom Doyle and his work was brought in to the story.