HBO Documentary did it again. Mea Maxima Culpa: The Silence in the House of God

[dsc]

This documentary follows several mega sexual abuse cases in the US, Ireland, and Italy. The first case was at a school for the deaf in Milwaukee. About half the time is spent on this case with nearly all of the interviewed victims coming from this case. For decades a priest at that school abused a couple of hundred students. The first report came in the 1950's. The Vatican knew at least in 1974. The priest died in the late 1990's and was buried as a priest. They move in to Boston, then to Ireland, and finally to another school for the deaf in Italy. Finally they close with the original victims suing the Vatican. Both Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI were up to their eyeteeth in this mess. Benedict was literally given all the files when he was in charge of the Inquisition for John Paul II. In case after case after case the Vatican intervened on the side of priests who local diocese wished to defrock. The notion these people should be listened to in regards to sexual morality or any morality is simply mind boggling. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[AngryOldDem]

1. Thanks. I'll have to check this out.

And the scandal is one reason why all this talk about canonizing JPII turns my stomach.

Most of the hierarchy deserves jail, not sainthood.

[smokey nj]

2. It was excellent. My heart broke when the men from St. John's discussed how Murphy picked

his victims.

[lunatica]

3. I caught part of the documentary and will watch for it again

Like one of the men said, remove the pedestals from all the Church hierarchy and you can get the Church back to the people.

[bettyellen]

4. Very inspired by those men who stood up to the church. Kick

[OldDem2012]

5. What does anyone expect from a former Inquisitor and current Pope who....

...was a member of the Hitler Youth, a group he claims he was forced to join? I don't buy his story any more than I buy the story of SS camp guards who claim they were "just following orders". Morality has no meaning for people like this.

Who better to protect a bad man than another bad man?

[Yavin4]

6. Any other organization with this kind of history of abusing children would've been shut down

or at the very least would not be allowed to interact with children.

[cleanhippie]

7. Why the laity continues to support this malevolent institution with time, money, and support

is beyond comprehension.

[lindysalsagal]

8. Every penny you give to this organized crime syndicate is theirs to abuse.

As the terrorist in Angels and Demons says to Robert Langdon, "Be careful. They are men of god."

[bettyellen]

9. Watching on demand... Heartbreaking.