On Friday March 18th, students of the diploma course watched the movie Spotlight and discussed it together. The general response of the group was that the film offered a balanced presentation of the situation, showing how the responsibility for the Clerical Sexual Abuse cover-up was shared among lawyers, reporters, politicians and not least, by churchmen. We discussed the psychological dynamic of how one can be blinded by their pain or shame to that which is in plain view, and how the courage of victims (or survivors) to speak the truth is helping to set the Catholic community free from a sad chapter of its history.

One student expressed that, as a priest, the movie made him feel shame. He explained, “When I became a priest, I knew nothing about these problems. It’s only when it became public that we heard something.” Students expressed solidarity with this feeling, yet also pointed out how sexual abuse is still a big problem for families and organizations, noting that what we have learned the hard way can help us make Church institutions the leaders in responding to victims of all types of abuse.

Particular attention was given to the epilogue of the film. Some felt that it was not fair to imply that Cardinal Law was favored by being kept at Saint Mary Majors in Rome. Others insisted it is a problem that the power wielded by high ranking clergy often protects them from what would be the normal hard consequences of imprudent actions. The context of the American Church in the second half of the last century was also discussed, noting the topic of sexual abuse was taboo and how people thought offenders could be more easily cured.

Perhaps the strongest criticism of the film was that the epilogue failed to note important consequences of the Boston Globe exposé: Church authorities have responded, at both global and local levels. In those Church institutions in which safeguarding education and policies have been implemented there is now an offence rate of less than 1%. As a result, Boston Churches are now one of the safest places for children.

Rebecca Pawloski

CCP Diploma Student