Cardinal O’malley Releases Statement on ‘spotlight’
By Dialynn Dwyer
Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley released a statement Thursday on Spotlight, the new film that chronicles the investigation by Boston Globe reporters into the systemic sexual abuse of children within the Roman Catholic Church. In a letter to the editor to the archdiocesan newspaper The Pilot (republished in full below), O’Malley said the film depicts a painful time in the history of the Catholic Church that reporters helped bring to light: The media’s investigative reporting on the abuse crisis instigated a call for the Church to take responsibility for its failings and to reform itself—to deal with what was shameful and hidden—and to make the commitment to put the protection of children first, ahead of all other interests. O’Malley said the church continues to seek the forgiveness of those who were abused and said he has personally met with “hundreds of survivors” over the last 12 years, hearing their stories and “humbly seeking their pardon.” “I have been deeply impacted by their histories and compelled to continue working toward healing and reconciliation while upholding the commitment to do all that is possible to prevent harm to any child in the future,” he said. A spokesperson for O’Malley told The Boston Globe the cardinal hasn’t seen the film yet. Ann Hagan Webb, former director of the New England chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, told Boston.com Thursday O’Malley hasn’t done enough. “He makes a big deal that he’s met with abuse survivors over the years—I know survivors who have met with him—but he has not allowed local victims, survivors, to collaborate with him about what needs to happen,” she said. “And I would call for him to do that.” When O’Malley first came to Boston, Webb said she and other survivors put together a document for him containing recommendations for procedures they thought would be best for addressing the abuse. One suggestion from the group, she said, was to make sure that clergy who had been taken out of service were still watched, to prevent further abuse “even without the collar.” Webb said over the years people have complained that all O’Malley wants to do is pray with them and ask for forgiveness. “Healing masses and praying for us is not the answer,” she said. Webb released a statement earlier Thursday calling on O’Malley to order all church members to see Spotlight if he cares about children’s safety. “That is the best, quickest and cheapest way he can protect more kids,” she said in the statement. “It’s easy for bishops to claim they have changed, but acting with real openness would prove real change. Boston parents and parishioners can only benefit by learning more about the church’s on going abuse and cover up crisis.” Cardinal O’Malley’s full statement on Spotlight as it appeared in The Pilot : The Spotlight film depicts a very painful time in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States and particularly here in the Archdiocese of Boston. It is very understandable that this time of the film’s release can be especially painful for survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. The media’s investigative reporting on the abuse crisis instigated a call for the Church to take responsibility for its failings and to reform itself—to deal with what was shameful and hidden—and to make the commitment to put the protection of children first, ahead of all other interests. We have asked for and continue to ask for forgiveness from all those harmed by the crimes of the abuse of minors. As Archbishop of Boston I have personally met with hundreds of survivors of clergy abuse over the last twelve years, hearing the accounts of their sufferings and humbly seeking their pardon. I have been deeply impacted by their histories and compelled to continue working toward healing and reconciliation while upholding the commitment to do all that is possible to prevent harm to any child in the future. The Archdiocese of Boston is fully and completely committed to zero tolerance concerning the abuse of minors. We follow a vigorous policy of reporting and disclosing information concerning allegations of abuse. Any suspected case of abuse should be reported to civil authorities and to the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach (866-244-9603 or 617-746-5985). More information about the protocols and programs run by the Archdiocese to assure safe environments for children and to address the needs of survivors may be found at www.bostoncatholic.org
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