I would thoroughly recommend Spotlight. It was a film that was extremely well done, absorbing and thought-provoking.
The film was based on a true story – the investigation made by the Boston Globe into cases of child abuse by priests in the Catholic Church.
What is absolutely unbelievable is how this was how extensive this was and the reactions of those who should have dealt with it.
6% of the total number of priests in the church are thought to be active paedophiles. That is a staggering number world-wide. In Boston alone it represents 90 priests. In that city alone over 1000 cases of child abuse were uncovered. Those 90 priests regularly abused young children (mainly boys but girls too). Some of them were raped. This includes children under the age of ten. One dreads to think of the numbers involved world-wide.
One of the most frightening aspects of the film was at the end where the lists of where abuse had occurred were put up on the screen.
What was spelt out was:
The way communities covered up what was being done to the children in their area. They covered it up. That is unbelievable. Their justification was that they could not allow a ‘couple of bad eggs’ undo all the good the church did.
Pressure was put on parents of abused children to keep quiet.
The church covered it up and put pressure on the authorities, community and parents.
The priests were simply moved to other areas where they could continue their abuse of children. They were not brought to justice. They were not removed from contact with children. It was as if the church condoned the behaviour. In some cases the priests were even promoted.
The priests, who presumably believed in the dogma of heaven and hell, did not feel that their perverse behaviour was wrong.
It was a very sobering film – extremely well scripted and acted.
By the finish I was not sure what was worse – the abuse or the horrendous way it was covered up.
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Yes I heard about this and want to see it. Cover ups in the Catholic Church are well known as are the threats put on the Parents. “No such thing could happen in our Church or by lovely Fr Murphy or whoever” was the usual cry. I think what the Boston Globe did was absolutely remarkable.
It was courageous in the climate they operated. But now it is out in the open and (I hope) being properly dealt with. Child abuse is a terrible thing. It has torn the church apart in Ireland. I can’t believe they covered it up and almost condoned it.
I haven’t heard of this. Will have to watch for it over here.
I think it had a number of academy nominations Cheryl – a good film.
It Won big time.
Did it. That’s good. I thought it was a very well made film. It deserved to win.
Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:
The spotlight needs to focus on this abuse and the church leaders who condone it.