BishopAccountability.org

MEDIA RELEASE – FEBRUARY 29, 2016 (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

Catholic Whistleblowers
March 29, 2016

http://www.catholicwhistleblowers.com/

Catholic Whistleblowers Steering Committee – 862-368-2800

Catholic Whistleblowers, a national organization of lay men and women, religious sisters, priests, former religious brothers, and former priests which advocates for and supports victim/survivors of sexual abuse by clergy and other religious persons, was thrilled with the Academy of Motion Pictures’ selection of the movie “Spotlight” as Best Picture of 2016. We extend our congratulations to the producers, directors, cast, and crew of the movie for their excellent depiction of the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Archdiocese of Boston.

We also wish to thank the members of the Boston Globe “Spotlight” team and Boston Globe editor Marty Baron for their pursuit of the facts and evidence of sexual abuse of children in the Archdiocese of Boston and the cover-up by Boston Archdiocesan leaders that eventually led to the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law. As actor Stanley Tucci, who portrays Attorney Mitchell Garabedian in the movie, said so well, “It takes a village to abuse a child,” and Catholic Whistleblowers concurs wholeheartedly.

We, Catholic Whistleblowers, are particularly grateful to and affirming of the courageous victim/survivors who were part of the film and all victim/survivors. We are heartbroken that Patrick Mc Sorley, one of the early heroes of the Archdiocese of Boston scandal, and who is portrayed in the movie, is no longer with us to share in the fruits of his and many others’ labors. Fortunately, Phil Saviano is still with us and we celebrate with Phil his quarter-century of determined, relentless advocacy on behalf of all victim/survivors and principal role in the production of “Spotlight.” To victim survivors Joe Crowley, Jim Scanlan, and all other victim/survivors who were characterized or referenced in the movie - thank you for your contribution.

“Spotlight” dramatizes so beautifully for Catholics and the general public the deleterious effects of sexual abuse in a family, organization, church, institution, and society. It also demonstrates what happens when a family, organization, church, institution, or society covers up that sexual abuse. Nothing good comes from sexual abuse and its cover-up. Catholic Whistleblowers recommends openness, honesty, transparency, and just resolution in all cases of childhood sexual abuse.

Finally, Catholic Whistleblowers extends an open invitation to the members of the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church; in particular, Pope Francis, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston and head of the Papal Commission on Child and Youth Protection, and especially members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to dialogue with us regarding the scandal of childhood sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church so that, together, we may put an end to childhood sexual abuse, help heal victim/survivors, and restore all to life in Jesus Christ.

Signed by some members of the Catholic Whistleblowers Steering Committee:

Rev. James E. Connell, J.C.D., Milwaukee, WI Rev. Ronald D. Lemmert, Peekskill, NY Rev. Patrick W. Collins, Ph.D., Douglas, MI Mrs. Helen Rainforth, Lincoln, IL Sr. Sally Butler, OP, Brooklyn, NY Sr. Claire Smith, OSU, Bronx, NY Sr. Maureen Paul Turlish, SNDdeN, New Castle, DE Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., West Orange, NJ Rev. Bruce Teague, Sheffield, MA Rev. Thomas P. Doyle, OP, J.C.D., Vienna, VA Msgr. Kenneth E. Lasch, J.C.D., Pompton Plains, NJ




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