Victims of sexual abuse by priests enjoy the Oscar winning “Spotlight” – the film that tells the investigation by The Boston Globe about the scandal – but they doubt that the reflectors that attracted the winning film the statuette for Best Film generate a change in the highest levels of the Catholic Church.
“Spotlight” starring Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, covers the work of the Globe to discover how sexually dozens of priests of the archdiocese of Boston have abused children for decades thanks whitewash the highest levels of the Church, which involved moving priests from parish to parish.
The film premiered in November amid praise from victims who said they gave them some validation after years of silence. Even the cardinal of Boston, Sean O’Malley – appointed to replace Cardinal Bernard Law after his resignation in disgrace – said “Spotlight” was “a powerful and important film.”
But the victims do not expect the new status of the film as Oscar winner resulting in some of the things they have asked for years, as full transparency from the Church and the criminal prosecution church leaders who knew of the abuses but failed to report the perpetrators to the authorities.
“I do not think the Vatican or the archdiocese necessarily do more,” said Robert Costello, 54, victim of sexual abuse by a priest from Boston since the late 1960 to 1976.
“I think what will make (the movie) is to educate the general public about what has been their response or lack thereof,” Costello said, who reached a civil settlement with the archdiocese.
A series Globe followed revelations of sexual abuse in dioceses around the world. The reports won a Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for his public service.
Alexa MacPherson, who was abused in a parish in Boston for more than six years, since I was 3 years old, believes it is “wonderful” that “Spotlight” has won the award for Best Picture, but added: “the Vatican has said much but has not backed up by actions.”
“We want a criminal trial can take people who committed crimes and not to hide behind the sanctity of the walls of the Vatican,” said MacPherson, who also reached a civil settlement.
Walter Robinson, who led the team Spotlight Globe that brought up the scandal in 2002, believes the tape already had a major impact on both the victims and the Church itself , before receiving the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
“We are at a time when bishops from around the world praise the film … indications that the Church may take more seriously the matter of dealing with a problem that still persists “Robinson, who was played by Michael Keaton said.
The renewed attention received “Spotlight” comes at a time when one of the senior officials in the Church, the finance chief of the Vatican, Cardinal George Pell, he testified this week during a public hearing before the Royal Commission of Australia, responsible for investigating the response of the Church to the scandal of abuse in that country.
The Vatican newspaper on Monday praised the film for giving a voice to the “deep sorrow” of the faithful.
L’Osservatore cited acceptance speech Michael Sugar producer: “Papa Francisco, it’s time to protect children and restore faith” and said it was in positive tone.
Radio Vatican also praised “Spotlight”, which he described as a “rigorous and authentic” reconstruction.
The reaction represents a radical change in the Vatican’s position regarding a decade ago when the Vatican newspaper was a vehicle of defense against the response of the Holy See.
The Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented more than 2,000 victims of sexual abuse by priests, said that since the film was released he received calls from about 50 cases plus.
“The range of victims who have come today ranges from 25 to 80 years old,” said Garabedian. “The film has given the survivors the feeling of self-esteem and self-respect that was stolen and is now coming back.”