The church just paid out over 660 million dollars to about 600 people in a case against the Catholic Church. This sparked my interest and I watched the documentary by Amy Bert, Deliver Us From Evil. This documentary follows the evil path of a catholic priest from Ireland, Father O'Grady, who molested hundreds of children during his time in the Stockton/Lodi area of California. The movie follows not only his path and the children and families he destroyed, but the Catholic Church's cover up of the entire thing. From the late 70's the church was notified of the actions of this priest and instead of taking proper action and removing this evil man they just relocated him, numerous times, allowing him a new batch of victims in a new town that knew nothing of his past. The movie interviews victims, as well as disturbing interviews with O'Grady himself. One interview is conducted outside and the sounds of children playing near by can be heard. There is also video of the interrogation of different bishops and higher up in the Catholic Church who by ignoring the problem, contributed to the abuse. The movie end with two victims being rejected at the gates of the Vatican.
I remember hearing about this film when it was first released. I was curious, but knew that watching it could lead to confusion on my part of my religion. I was raised in the Catholic Church and I knew that this movie was going to expose a dark and wrong side of an institution that I grew up believing could do no wrong. Many of the victims and victims families made the same kind of remarks. Things like "he was a priest and we completely trusted him", "we never thought a priest could do this", "we never suspected anything". This film is disturbing. You can see in the interviews with O'Grady and in the way he speaks about his actions on these children that he is very disturbed. The clips of Cardinal Mahoney are very hard to watch. This man presided over my confirmation and even blessed our home after it was built. This same man allowed O'Grady to continue being a priest and around children despite a folder full of accusations from numerous people of sexual misconduct toward children. I was afraid that this documentary would push me away from the church, but despite how awful this entire situation is, the blame falls on the people running the church and not on the religion itself.
It was a tough movie to watch, but a real eye opener.
Money Movie Rating: $$$
2 comments:
What a great cover. I'll try to get it and watch it too. Shame on the Vatican.
I was baptized at St Vincent's in LA near USC. Cardinal Mahoney land. I don't feel good telling people I am Catholic.
Central Coast pastor arrested for investigation of sexual battery
July 20, 2007 9:05 PM: SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) - An assistant pastor at a Catholic church was arrested for investigation of sexual battery after he allegedly groped an undercover sheriff's deputy near a private beach, authorities said Friday. The Rev. Geronimo Enrique Cuevas, 52, who was arrested on Wednesday, also was booked on suspicion of soliciting a lewd act from an adult in a public place, said San Luis Obispo County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Hascall. The pastor was released on $2,000 bail.
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