I Uncovered Abuse in the Catholic Church. Why Was it Ignored? | ‘Almost Famous’ by Op-Docs

Nearly 20 years ago, an investigation by The Boston Globe into sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests ignited a firestorm of scandal that has traveled around the world. For many Americans, these shocking revelations - especially of the related cover-ups by the church - came out of nowhere, almost like a bolt of lightning. But the sobering reality is that this bolt of lightning had been striking for at least 15 years.
In May 1985, Jason Berry, a Catholic journalist in Louisiana, wrote his first piece on child sexual abuse in the church, for the National Catholic Reporter and the Times of Acadiana. Mr. Berry called himself a “reluctant muckraker,” but his exposé on the Rev. Gilbert Gauthe would prove to be only the first in a series of exhaustive investigations over the years, including his 1992 book, “Lead Us Not Into Temptation.” Mr. Berry appeared on national television programs like “Donahue” and “Oprah,” arguing that child sexual abuse had become “the Watergate of the Catholic Church.”
So why did it take another decade or more for this scandal to truly break? And when is a society willing to face facts that may already be sitting in plain sight? In Ben Proudfoot's "The First Report," Mr. Berry grapples with those questions and with what it means to spend years ringing an alarm bell that nobody is willing to hear.
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Credits
Director: Ben Proudfoot
Editor: David Faddis
Featuring: Jason Berry
Producers: Elizabeth Brooke, Abby Lynn Kang Davis, Gabriel Berk Godoi, Ben Proudfoot, Brandon Somerhalder, Sarah Stewart
Cinematographer: Brandon Somerhalder
Original Score Composed and Orchestrated by: Nicholas Jacobson-Larson
Co-Producer: Jeremy Lambert
Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer: Sean Higgins
Colorist: Stephen Derluguian
Post Production Supervisor: Dillon Brown
Post Production Coordinator: Laura Carlson
Cultural Consultant: David Faddis
Assistant Editor: Cody Wilson
Prop Graphic Designer: Brooke Granowski
Sound Designer: Alex Weiss
Second Unit Cinematographer: Haley Watson
Scoring Mixer: Erik Kertes
Musicians: Garth Neustadter, Nicholas Jacobson-Larson, Erik Kertes
Archival Digitization: Hannah Auslander
Story Reported By: Jaimie Woo
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Op-Docs is the New York Times’ award-winning series of short documentaries by independent filmmakers. Learn more about Op-Docs and how to submit to the series. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@NYTopinion).

[@benproudfoot1409]

Hi, everyone. My name is Ben and I’m the director of this film. Thanks for watching and happy to answer any of your filmmaking questions!

[@oyaozdemr1739]

Not yet😃

[@vedhasbalaji7648]

Excellent filmmaking

[@NZKiwi87]

Thank you for this fascinating watch 👍

[@akatsukiandy]

Is there any place we can find the original music made for these films?

[@sashatheelf]

Proud feet!

[@brittanygoodrich9392]

Mr. Berry, even though your story didn't get the attention it deserved at the time, thank you. Thank you for standing up and fighting for these kids all those years. You are what an investigative journalist should be: someone who tells the important stories because they're important.

[@groussac]

His story teaches us two things: the courage to stand up to authority, and the strength to move on if our truth isn't recognized. The moving on, I think, takes as much strength as the standing up.

[@meschoooter6027]

My heart breaks for all of this sickness. Three of my six older brothers were directly molested. The other three saw sexual deviation within the confines of the ecclesial systems in which they lived or worked. Sick with sadness.

[@GigiMurakami]

It’s not lost on me that the NYT, who also didn’t initially take this story, is just now spotlighting this man’s work….I feel so bad for him…

[@nohome170]

Back in the day the NYT editor was not the same person today.

[@nohome170]

And back in the most of the boomers mind were conservative not like today generation open mind.

[@realtijuana5998]

All the news that fits, they print.

[@lightblue254]

@@realtijuana5998 NYT has made many enemies, for example: war criminals, and that's great. Like the Syrian regime or Putin Nowitschok. Spread the truth of their crimes and uncover every last bit of it.

[@stellarocquie7957]

The NYT is a POS. Instead of doing this story in a timely, RESPONSIBLE manner, and SAVING LIVES, they waited until now, DECADES AFTER THE FACT, to "review" this. SHAME ON THEM.

[@lukechurch5842]

I can’t fathom how many people have witnessed or have been privy to these crimes and just stayed silent.

[@TheNinnyfee]

Yes, the bystanders that are never held accountable are a huge problem everywhere.

[@travelerforever8849]

there are cases where it involved public figures that the victims are accused of slandering or liars. Reasons? They are the public figures and well respected. So no one believe the victims. It happen unfortunately and I know a few cases. Children are the silent victims 😓

[@krazyk3842]

I'm sure they were threatened... the church is the biggest mobbed.. its extremely well connected.

[@Mister_Listener]

Oy, Ive posted this reply a few times and i promise this is my last so i dont look like a troublemaker, but most people do not understand that if church members are not repulsed by child abuse, theyre turned on by it. Otherwise, we’d be seeing more appropriate levels of outrage.

[@beths3288]

@@Mister_Listener I can't tell you how many times that thought has crossed my mind. Just how many Catholics are "used" to kind of thing, to the point where they actually aren't totally horrified? Just count the number of remaining Catholics, I guess.

[@bkm2797]

Jason Berry is a hero, the atrocities committed by lustful, selfish so called priest is frankly unforgivable. We will never know who these children would have been or become, so it's like a death but worse. I marvel at the children who struggle with this nightmare, but somehow find a way through faith and an irrepressible will to move forward. We as a society must continue to stop pedophilia wherever it raises it's ugly head. Jason Berry if you are reading this, I am sorry your daughter had to go so soon, she is whole and is with you always.

[@sherryjackson8474]

His kid was abused

[@marmadukescarlet7791]

@Bernadino Boru so it’s all the communists fault? Like everything else, in your opinion? Mmm hmm …

[@bkm2797]

@Jane Doe I call them manmade or patriarchal religions set up to control the masses, monetarily, mentally and physically. You are a spiritual being having a human experience (in my humble opinion)and we are in school. So very sorry you had this darkness enter your innocent life. I hope you have found the love and support to help you through.

[@bkm2797]

@@sherryjackson8474 Whose kid?

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

@Jane Doe AMEN!

[@Stretesky]

It’s amazing how people see no problem with coverups and abandon victims.

[@TheMightyBlackPearl]

I was sexually assaulted when I was ten years old attending St. Mary Magdalene, by a teacher in 2001. Come to find out, I was not the only one who this had happened to. I was just the only one who said anything to one of my parents. I was so sheltered that when this man (if you can even call him that) assaulted me, I didn't even know it was bad. They keep you sheltered. All the kids. It just came up when my Mom was driving my older sister (who had this teacher before me, he didn't do anything to her, but he did do stuff to her friends who were 13 at the time and in 8th grade). Once word got out that SOMEONE had told on him, more girls piled in with their parents reporting the same thing that had happened to me - including two of my best friends that I had known since kindergarten at that school. The conclusion? The justice? There was none. They made me sit in a meeting across from the teacher who assaulted me, they had the principal, they had the other 5th grade teacher (female), my parents, and the Priest at the time. My Mom had her attorney there too. So back to the conclusion. Like I said, there was none. I was told that I needed to apologize, because I was lying and that the others were too. I was made to stay in this teachers class for the remainder of the year...which more than half of the school year was left. He made me sit in the corner at my desk, pushed the desk all the way to the chalkboard and I would have to ask him if I could move my chair so I could see the lesson we were learning that day. He did whatever he could to target me. We were going to Music class one day, and I was upset because I just didn't want to be near him, I cried everyday before school and begged my mom to get me the other teacher, even though she was very mean, I didn't care! I wanted away from him. On our way to music class, he just kept saying stuff to me. Finally we get to the music room, and he said to me, "why are you always late? Why don't you come to school?".....my eyes welled up with tears and I was so angry that I screamed at him "the reason I don't want to come to school is because of YOU!" ....I yelled it infront of the entire class and infront of the music teacher. The next school year, he never came back. He moved on to another Catholic school (St. Andrew's) and the diocese ALLOWED THIS. I'm a mother to a little girl who will be two tomorrow. I will NEVER send her to a Catholic school. And I would never allow someone to cover up a crime committed against her. Even if that means facing down the Catholic church. I'm still Catholic, but my God certainly does not believe in hurting children. So if you're wondering, YES - they cover things up all the time. There was even a suicide behind my classroom one morning (this was in 4th grade) he was a student at the Catholic high school but had also attended our school and his younger sister was still at the elementary/middle school with me. The whole thing was never explained to us. Only they know and the police know what happened that morning. This was 20 years ago now...but I can still see that teachers face so clearly. He was not a good man. You could feel it. But of course, good men also don't run around sexually assaulting little girls.

[@TheMightyBlackPearl]

Sorry, I know that was A LOT. But I just wanted to let you know, I see it. And it happened to me. I'm not making excuses for them, I am still Catholic. But I put my faith in God. Not in the man that speaks His word.

[@cynthiacetrangelo2296]

Yes, we are living with these types who seem to be aaallll over the so called. Representing we the people CrIME SYNDICATE!!!!

[@daniby9894]

Don't you find weird how covering up is the most intuitive and instinctive human reaction, that actually doesn't even need to be taught?

[@earlofmar7987]

@@TheMightyBlackPearl RUN from the Catholic Church.

[@sheilam1130]

This man is a courageous hero for many victims of big dark demonic priests

[@krazyk3842]

Amen! Alot of them claim to be into Satanism.. its disgusting

[@krazyk3842]

Look into fox Island and the millionaire who had priest friends all over the world... he would go around and abuse kids... before there was a Jeffery there was someone who did it first... not only did they abuse they made snuff films with these children

[@justinamusyoka4986]

@@krazyk3842 The abuses are occultic rituals,not even for pleasure but impartation of evil spirits.I happened to witness as a youth in many parishes in my area and was shocked. Today i'm still in shock when i see women and young girls enter RCC ,laugh around with the priest etc 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[@BiodegradableYTP]

Your work was not in vain, Mr Berry. It took 20 years, but you did it. You helped expose this rotten affair.

[@terminusadquem6981]

@Just Whatever That's a different case that needs attention also, but the way you are saying it, felt like you mean just let these priests go let's look at the government instead.

[@terminusadquem6981]

@Just Whatever You mean there's no reports or news about politicians involved in scandals or sexual abuse? That's obviously not true. Also, you are getting ahead of the evidence, to say there's more out there than what's being reported is an assumption, not based on evidence. Here on the other hand, we have a journalist who investigated it, have evidences to backed up his claims and you're trying to deflect it? This is not an attack on christianity, this is about these priests, but if you feel like your religion is dragged down you should be blame it on these priests and their enablers not on the media.

[@son4821]

can u imagine the number of people who tried doing what hes done over thousands of years across the world, not including journalists.. i bet the church killed a lot of people for calling this out centuries ago

[@theusa4052]

Some guy went to jail for believing the sun wasn’t revolving around the Earth so…

[@jmoushm0uth]

Didn't we just discovered a mass grave native Americans at a catholic school

[@theusa4052]

@@jmoushm0uth Yes.

[@theusa4052]

@Bernadino Boru You can chill with the conspiracy theories.

[@freedomunltd]

@@theusa4052 The problem is, the ‘conspiracy theories’ so often are the real and actual truth deliberately hidden from the general public.

[@maxcovfefe]

Whyyyy aren't these priests in PRISON? WHY are they given legal immunity??

[@seekittycat]

@Robby Dey That's most of them. Like only 1 out of 44 got in any trouble and the rest got off free in the court of law. A number of those were also allowed to keep their power and status in the church.

[@rebeccashields9626]

I think it’s a statute of limitations thing. Also how hard it is to prove things that happened a long time ago. Makes me sick how so many people were complicit in covering it up. The people who covered it up are just as guilty they should be in jail too.

[@goodcomps]

If you fight the church, you are essentially fighting a country. That, and a lack of moral fortitude.

[@jantelopez5626]

the same reason so many abusive parents aren't in prison for destroying their kids lives. we don't care about kids enough.. we treat them like posessions not young humans

[@victoriap1561]

Most sexual abusers, priest or not get away with it.

[@eddvcr598]

Mr. Jason Berry, thank you for speaking out against an ultra powerful institution when others refused to acknowledge victims.

[@audreyevans7422]

Almost famous? I, for one, will NEVER forget Jason Berry and what a great journalist he is. Thanks for this film.

[@averyjeon3350]

Thank you for caring. For fighting. For saving countless children’s lives, when others weren’t listening to you.

[@stellarocquie7957]

@Just Whatever You mean ENABLERS.

[@OmNomNomTurtle33]

What a story. Excellent work NYT. Excellent work Mr. Berry.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

I had hoped that Mr. Jason Berry's daughter Ariel lived long enough to enter a group home for Adults with Downs Syndrome, so that she could have friends like her...

[@stellarocquie7957]

@Just Whatever ABSOLUTELY! And THIS story is a day late and a dollar short. ( More like 30 years late. . . .)

[@doctorshell7118]

Mr. Berry, not everyone moved on from your work. I read your book in the 1990’s when I was de-converting from religion and it has stayed with me to this day. Thank you.

[@doctorshell7118]

@Just Whatever religion has “few crimes”? WTF?

[@the1grove]

@Just Whatever I personally hear of crimes committed by the Catholic Church ALL THE TIME! It's time for people to start leaving the Church and find God on their own, this is the only way the Church will change for the better.

[@doctorshell7118]

@Just Whatever argument ad populum. I suggest that you read up a bit on logical fallacies.

[@XOguitargurlOX]

This will never get the attention it deserves. The worse part? These types of atrocities happen in higher numbers on the Native American reservations. My dad, aunts and uncles were all victims. I think the pedophile died serving the congregation, despite the complaints. They were only ardently Catholic because of the boarding schools Native Americans were forced into. I sometimes wonder how much fewer our mental health issues would be, if my grandmother was never forced into that school.

[@abbynormal3068]

Native Americans, in the name of religion, were forced into horrors untold and unfathomable, and told it was for their own good. This is the major tragedy of colonialism and this country. I grieve for the children/people who suffered, but I admire the hold on Native culture that remains.

[@thephidias]

While maybe not (quite) comparable to the Holocaust, the atrocities against American Natives include - to the best of my knowledge - the biggest genocide in history.

[@ssissigui8846]

@thephidias... You lost me at "comparable" and "biggest". It's not a race . Wrong is wrong. Period.

[@thephidias]

@@ssissigui8846 Oh, but there are degrees of cruelty. And yes, size matters. Wiping out a whole population is a genocide. Wiping out one village is not. Both are wrong but not comparable. Wrong is not the same wrong always. It's also wrong to steal a lollipop - but not comparable to stealing someone's entire money and belongings. The world is not simple.

[@ssissigui8846]

@@thephidias there is no need to compare cruelty. You could have just said that the crimes against native Americans were horrible without comparing them to another genocide. Indeed words matter and the world is simple . However let me tell you that a victim of genocide or their descendants wouldn't like to see the cruelty that they endured compare to another crime. You just don't need to say it. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@rottenrobbie8466]

The fact that we get free documentaries on KZbin by The New York Times is truly a gift. 👍

[@stellarocquie7957]

Not really. They ignored the story for over 30 years, and COULD HAVE SAVED LIVES - BUT CHOSE NOT TO? They're as complicit as the Vatican for covering up the scandal.

[@rottenrobbie8466]

👍

[@Vhlathanosh]

Pfff! After like over 20 yrs. Prefer The Fifth Estate or DW.

[@valeriesuttonpayne7413]

Mr Berry, you are brave and courageous. I am so sorry you lost your daughter. A terrible tragedy but you kept fighting for other people’s children. Thank you, sir.

[@JeffreyGoddin]

And Sinead O'Connor was vilified for shouting this from the hilltop.

[@stellarocquie7957]

Because she is a Woman.

[@KitKat_293]

What a beautiful and remarkable man

[@annmarieknapp]

This was a brilliant film. I have a child with special needs and I really felt it when he said he just wanted his little girl to live.

[@richt6353]

Jason Berry is the HERO who started the BALL ROLLING!!!

[@monicamestas7566]

Thank you for your film. Completely comprehensive in 16:35 min. And thank you, Jason Berry. In the 1980s, I was a new deposition reporter in CA. Mid to late '80s, I reported the proceedings of many individual abuse cases involving the San Bernardino Diocese. I thought these cases would go on to be prosecuted. Didn't realize there would be a hushed settlement and nothing more. I was young, naive and, like Mr. Berry, had a child that needed my attention so didn't question what was happening. It breaks my heart to think how many people knew, did nothing, and children continued to be abused for decades more. Hopefully it's come to an end. Personally, I think the Catholic Church should be disbanded. Or, at the least, the celibacy mandate needs to be lifted.

[@LifeStrike2030]

The abuse was never hidden. Just not looked at by people more interested in their own small lives than the big picture of our society. Ignored by people who would rather believe than fight for justice. So we never will have justice.

[@Cbd_7ohm]

People who attend church are naive.

[@patricedhanis3546]

Yep we had a choir leader, a lay person who was very close to the priests that everyone suspected, but no one said anything. We all knew but were afraid to "lose our church" if we talked. I as an adult, left the church, and my children were raised in a different church. When I hear people say "why are people leaving the church"...I am amazed. The answer is there for all to see. LOOK!

[@mlthewi1287]

Thanks to Mr. Proudfoot and Mr. Berry. As an editor since 2007, I've seen too many book manuscripts that deal with child abuse. My heart feels as if it breaks on a daily basis.

[@ericasabine11]

Thank you to all who have stood up to help the innocent children!! Blessings to you all!!

[@ItsDanny91]

Instead of them going to the police they sent some priest to “ wellness retreats”. Then transfer them and the abuse would start all over again

[@hollygrosshans3529]

The retreats are referred to as Club Ped”. They stayed there until the attention died down and then were assigned to other parishes to continue their horrific practices. Add this to the Magdalene Laundries/unwed mother homes that enslaved young women and abused them for years, sold their babies for profit and buried the ones not suitable for sale and you can see how ultimately evil the RCC truly is. What a shameful history.

[@spaceghost8995]

That is partly because of a constant shortage of priests to begin with. Parishes are being shuttered today because they don't have enough priests. If they would allow priests to be married or even allow women to be priests they could attract more people and more normal people. I'm an atheist ex-Catholic so I wish the entire church to fail myself.

[@spaceghost8995]

@Just Whatever Why can't your little god stop pedophiles and rapists NOW? Oh that's right he does not exist!

[@sstirling8816]

@Just Whatever So you are okay for the priest to continue victimizing children and we just wait until God decides it is enough and returns. SMH OMGosh that is enabling.

[@spaceghost8995]

@Just Whatever So what? Like as if the bible has any truth in it! You cannot use the bible to prove the bible. That is circular reasoning. We have no reason to take that book seriously.

[@mackarma2923]

This is why I am no longer a practicing catholic. Period.

[@Bughugger]

This is incredibly moving. Thank you to everyone who spoke even when they weren't heard. Thank you to everyone who kept speaking. And Thank You to everyone who listened instead of turning a blind eye. Collectively, you have all contributed towards making this world a better place to live.

[@Catlily5]

Thank you for getting the ball rolling, Mr Berry. It probably would have taken longer to come to light without you.

[@petertrevorah7388]

Students reported abuse as it was happening in Christian Brothers schools of the 60’s and 70’s. Their parents did not believe them and often punished their kids for saying such things. They, too, should bear responsibility for this fundamental breach of duty. Many parents did know but chose church over children. Don’t let these failings be mere footnotes to the story. So often, they WERE the story.

[@geneobrien8907]

I went to St. Augustine's High School in Brooklyn, NY in 1966, the teaching staff were the Christian Brothers. My home room teacher, Brother Arthur, attempted to molest me, fortunately I was able to get away from him. As I think back on those days, it doesn't surprise me that the Christian Brothers order was a haven for pedophiles, the signs were abundant, although at 15 I couldn't see it. My experience at St. Agatha's elementary school, while not the same type, was also abusive. It saddens me to know that many Catholic parents of abused children didn't believe them, they chose the church over their children, that's unforgivable.

[@luckied7542]

​@geneobrien8907 ... My father-in-law grew up in a Catholic church in Switzerland back in the 1930's and 40s. One of his friends confided in him that the priests were molesting him. Later, one of the priests came onto my father-in-law and he got away. He told his mother what happened. His mother spanked him hard accusing him of lying. He *never* wanted anything to do with religion again. As soon as he joined the US Army he had nothing to do with it from that point on.

[@junewyatt-jeffers882]

Mr Berry, It's not always clear in the present how and to what extent the good that we've done in this life, and the effect of our search for the truth, have positively impacted humanity, one soul at a time. Thank you for every bit of effort and sacrifice that went into your book.

[@charlesvandenburgh7754]

I had a friend who was adopted at an early age and he would often mention the times he was molested at the Orphanage. We are talking about the 60's and I thought that he was delusional. In retrospect, who would have thought this would occur.

[@stellarocquie7957]

It's documented back to the 30's and 40's.

[@larryc7209]

I grew up with Walter Robinson who was the Boston Globe Editor (Spotlight Team) in the movie Spotlight. He won a Pulitzer prize for his work. Walter was played by Michael Keaton. Walter and I went to school together, played sports together, etc.. He wanted to be a journalist as far back as I can remember. I had dinner with him several years ago. The clergy abuse scandal rocked the Catholic Church to its foundation. Fallout is still happening. I've been a practicing Catholic my entire life (I'm now 75) but I may end up leaving after more than 7 decades. I'm not sure whether Walter is still Catholic or not (he was) but if he isn't, it is due to the horrific things he uncovered in the Archdiocese of Boston as an investigative journalist.

[@michaelkeane8508]

Larry please don’t give up your faith .I am a 74 year old Catholic and have thought about it as well .All my brothers and friends from school have given the faith away .I had a really great experience but it wasn’t at the time I failed grade 5 at a Catholic school and we were poor I had ADD but they did not know about it then .I went into the beautiful big Church next to the school it was empty and I knelt down and I was angry with God I yelled at him and a voice out allowed said DONT WORRY.That is all that was said .I was scared to death but I really felt good .His voice was direct strong quiet and beautiful.Since then I have had other experiences .That experience helps me not to give my faith away .I have never been a Saint and people are shocked when they find out I go to Mass every week .

[@roz805]

What a remarkable man. His tenacious and confronting work lead ultimately to the discovery of the truth. Society owes him a great thanks. No question he did right by putting family first. It was heartbreaking to learn of the loss of his sweet Ariel at the end of this outstanding piece. All the very best to Mr Berry. Big respect, good sir

[@audreyherzfeld9840]

The day is coming, when these men, will have to answer to our Heavenly Father, True justice will take place.And that time is very near.

[@Kittykat5kits]

As a Catholic this man is my hero.

[@bloodrainicorn6193]

If you don’t leave the church you’re still supporting pedophiles and giving money to them. Nothing honorable about the catholic faith. You should be ashamed

[@cindybogart6062]

My hero also… my son was in catholic school!!

[@gregwilvert]

He is catholic???

[@MatrixWolf27]

@@bloodrainicorn6193 I served as a personal assistant to a retired priest for over a decade. When he was a kid, his younger sister was abused by a priest. It was a traumatic event for her and their whole family. However, he felt a calling, a desire to help people, to give people hope and to do actual work to effect change. He became a Catholic priest as a young adult and worked in many communities in Brooklyn. He was a civil rights activist, even helped coordinate busing efforts in Bushwick in the 70s-80s to help desegregate public schools. He helped a parish remain open for 7 years after the Diocese tried to close it. He served as a priest, a spiritual leader, and a community leader for more than half a century, until his health gave way. He actually butted heads often with the Diocese's Leadership on many things. He was considered by many of his peers as a rebel. Despite the many crimes (both legal and spiritual) that the Church may have committed, he never once doubted his calling, his commitment to God, or his faith in the kindness and love of humanity. . First and foremost the Catholic Church (Vatican) is a nation, and its Dioceses are essentially its embassies. Just as there is rampant corruption and abuse in any government that needs to be called out, such is the case here. The Catholic Church (the institution) and being Catholic (the individual) are not the same thing.

[@Mister_Listener]

@@MatrixWolf27 i dont understand how you can say there is any difference between the Catholic institution and the Catholic person. That is not historically accurate at all, and never will be. That is your fantasy, but not an actual global truth. If it were, we wouldnt be having this conversation in the first place. May a day of reckoning occur for you soon. You must stop making excuses for the terrible behavior of religious leaders...it is wrong.

[@HannahDickersonn]

I’m from Lafayette,LA and I’ve literally been to St.John’s cathedral dozens of times. I had no idea this ever happened in my hometown much less the place where this story originally broke out. Thank you for telling this story❤️

[@sarysa]

I grew up in a Catholic household. Not one anymore (that ended before I knew about the scandal) but it just wasn't all that well publicized back in the day. Maybe the biggest flare-up that resulted from Mr. Berry's efforts was Sinead O'Connor's tearing of the Pope's picture on SNL. I'll always praise her bravery for doing so, but maybe it wasn't the most media savvy thing to do at the time. What came across as senseless desecration to most viewers at the time probably caused said viewers to reject any facts that followed.

[@MB-cx2ks]

She converted to Islam.

[@stellarocquie7957]

@@spaceghost8995 She ABSOLUTELY did.

[@spaceghost8995]

@@stellarocquie7957 Yep I read it. What a delusional moron she is. A supposedly self aware and powerful woman commits herself to THAT? ESPECIALLY being a woman to do that? Unbelievable.

[@stellarocquie7957]

@@spaceghost8995 That's not the point. It's her personal choice, don't judge. I was simply stating that I saw her interview explaining her decision. BTW, she had quite a bit of trauma in her life.

[@mirror-images]

​@@spaceghost8995 I'd urge you to consider whether your perceptions of Islam are shaped by real critical analysis and empathetic awareness of a religion practiced by over 1billion people, or if they've been passed to you by the narratives highlighted by media and politicians in Western countries who have benefited off the brutalization of majority-Muslim countries for decades and, in order to maintain the image of democracy, created popular support for those violent actions.

[@RobinHerzig]

Jason Berry is an outstanding + incredibly committed reporter worthy of Pulitzer status at the very least. Thanks for producing this amazing profile.

[@gnostic268]

It still continues because people are afraid of speaking out and being kicked out of the Church. When excommunication is an option it's easy to keep victims quiet. Utter b.s.

[@denisegore1884]

It never fails to shock me how long the abuse has gone on for and how far it has spread. How could any Catholic have any faith left?

[@stars_and_roses3716]

Because it is the one true Faith. What has happened in the Catholic Church is an absolute disgrace and disgusting but it doesn't change the fact that the Catholic Church is the truth. There is a long history of physical and sexual abuse in the education system from teachers and most people don't believe all teachers are pedophiles. It's evil that predators enter into the Church and the education system in order to use them, but neither institutions are evil.

[@Xavier-Denis]

Mr. Proudfoot, you did it again. It is a big and sad story and a tough battle this man did. I know that you were born in Canada and that you probably have Native American origins according to your last name. It is true that Pope Francis has brought a new lease of life but with what is happening with the discovery of a hidden cemetery of Native American children behind the Catholic boarding schools here in Canada, I am disappointed with this Pope's attitude who refuses to apologize to the Native Nations and we are far from seeing the end of these horrible discoveries. Sometimes I tell myself that the Catholic religion is one of the biggest sect in the world which is worth billions of dollars.

[@bobbierobinson6269]

I'm not catholic and can't imagine ever being. God doesn't tell me there's one man above us all that speaks directly to him...We all speak to him when we pray.

[@Xavier-Denis]

@@bobbierobinson6269 When we are born, no one chooses their own religion. It is our parents who do it according to their beliefs and especially according to the country of origin. I also think like you on this subject, if someone claims to speak to a supreme being then he is a guru. I don't think we need a religion to know the difference between good and bad.

[@raulelenes4194]

@@Xavier-Denis I do not believe like you or Robinson, God has his ways that we may not know or be aware of, special people who have decided to take up responsibilities that not ordinary people accept. Nevertheless, that should not allow them to escape the rules or morals or obligations of any modern nation.

[@otterinbham9641]

I married into a highly-devout Catholic family thirty years ago. They couldn't fathom why I chose to remain Epiiscopalian and, worse, why we baptized our children in the Episcopal Church. They know about this scandal, yet it's as if they could not care less. All human institutions have their failings. All human institutions have their bad actors. But the sheer pervasiveness of heinous actions and coverups endemic in Catholicism is another thing entirely. And given the glacial responses of the church, it's apparent they're stalling, playing a delaying action until the worst offenders can die. When you have state attorneys general having to invoke RICO statues in order to get Catholic dioceses to give up their records on this score, it tells me that they are not terribly repentant of their crimes even today.

[@mattcarlucci]

When I heard his daughter passed, I got this pain in my stomach. One who suffered to do what was righteous, is the true definition of hero.

[@BlueBaron3339]

That last line, a biblical quote, applies to many things, alas.

[@annasibert2958]

There’s something powerful in this man. He speaks with an effortless force. Thank you for your reporting and I’m going to read your book.

[@peternwokoye]

This is what happens when an institution thinks it's above the law. Great work, Mr. Berry.

[@ninotchka6200]

Thank you, Mr. Berry, for your commitment and persistence and dedication to this story. It's obvious you laid some of the groundwork so that subsequent revelations were finally believed and taken seriously. After all, the Globe had also published stories about Boston priests years earlier that were largely ignored. Perhaps discoveries such as these take time to be truly heard. I'm glad you were mentioned in Spotlight, as you provided support, comfort, and hope for victims. Bless you, sir. And I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious and beautiful daughter.

[@alext8828]

Nobody would stand up to protect the children? It doesn't say much for this country. And now we're leaving everyone in Afghanistan? Nothing changes.

[@spaceghost8995]

We cannot stay in Afghanistan forever dude. Let them have their own civil war.

[@alext8828]

@@spaceghost8995 It's not about staying or leaving. It's about how we do either. Use your head for something other than keeping rain from going down your neck.

[@spaceghost8995]

@@alext8828 There is no ideal way to leave a relationship.

[@alext8828]

@@spaceghost8995 Now you're talking.

[@susankamaka6962]

Wow. I was so moved by this story. Thank you for sharing, not only the wonderful directing of this film, but for Mr. Berry’s tireless research and soulful reporting.

[@davidottley2739]

Jason Berry, I feel so honored to know more about the story to which you so tirelessly dedicated your career. Thank you for your example of integrity, as both a human being and a reporter, but also as an incredibly dedicated father. You are a beautiful person. Thank you for being so willing to see the people that the world so often passes by.

[@TubeNutriDoc]

The fact that the works of Jason Berry are being encapsulated for our 'reading' in this video reminds us each how a little act can have lasting impact, expand and shift cultures toward a more perfect society. What acts are you engaged in today?

[@aeromodeller1]

My father was aware of this in the 1930s in San Francisco. When my mother told him in 1956 that she wanted my brother and I to be "exposed to religion", he asked what she had in mind. She wanted to send us to the Catholic Church school. I knew he hated the Catholic Church, but I was puzzled at how he expressed his objection. He said "There is no way I would ever allow those filthy priests to get their dirty hands on any son of mine." That stayed in my mind for many years. Now we know.

[@mirandagoldstine8548]

Your dad was a true man. A man of great honor and wisdom.

[@anaorlando2494]

Very touching. This was a fantastic report and Berry's integrity is admirable. Thank you for your work, we need it

[@MB-cx2ks]

Thank you, Jason Berry. I have been waiting for a film on your amazing story.

[@Lola-by6cx]

What a guy. These days it's not often that I'm in awe of humanity, perhaps there are some good Catholics after all.

[@leila4509]

The editing of this video is fantastic, more content like this please!

[@beauphilp3201]

Thank you for all your efforts to bring this to light and to have given this opportunity for this to stop and be healed.

[@jenniferamyx78]

So thankful for Mr.Barry's work and so sorry for the loss of his beautiful daughter.

[@jlee4039]

Benedict was the monster who looked like a monster. John Paul II was the monster who looked like a saint.

[@randomknowledgeperson2872]

2:40 this is how it’s supposed to be. today, people have an argument and they read something from the bible and say “there we go, that’s what it said, that’s all there is, there is nothing more.” the bible, in these situations, ends the conversation. while in the days of Jesus it’s STARTED the conversation. they would have an argument, read from the scripture, and say “well what do you think it means? this is what i think because this, and that is the result. what about you?” it deeply saddens me that this form of reading is the unusual and not ordinary way of doing things

[@NSJonesy94]

Casual debate is in its death throws it seems some days. Sad.

[@randomknowledgeperson2872]

@@NSJonesy94 indeed

[@tabularasa]

Keep it going in your own community, it's the most effective thing we can do. Gently encourage the Socratic method with your friends and neighbors, asking questions of each other, and thinking critically. This kind of exchange will never die as long as we keep doing it.

[@bethannslusser4254]

Thank you so much Jason! May God Bless your little girl! Thanks Ben for telling this most important story!

[@BiologywithDrResham]

I just adore how a deep dive has been done in such an impactful documentary

[@cmarq817]

👏👏👏👏👏👏Mr Berry for your dedication and efforts.

[@flintycustard8406]

Top Vid : Jason Berry deserves a medal for services to humanity : The dislikes must be all Catholic Priests !!

[@jasonv.9015]

Yes

[@tjp_0074]

It's not nearly over. Your work was critical and is still very relevant. Delay is not denial. As you said in the beginning of this piece, timing is everything.

[@dicostigan1449]

Thanks, Ben for highlighting this good man.

[@artifach]

Thank you! You are a model for all of us Catholics who should be speaking up when abuses happen by the hands of our own, be they sexual abuse or historical genocide. You are also right about Pope Francis being a reformer and I'm so glad that bit was acknowledged. Beautiful filmmaking too, thanks to the team behind this!

[@BrayTube]

Bergoglio protected paedophile priests in Argentina. When abuses happened at 'the hands of *his* own' he simply washed his own hands of it. He accepted abusers from other countries, moved local priests to other diocese, shielded fugitive priests from the law and he refused to meet parents of abused children. He even attempted to persuade Argentina's supreme court to overturn the conviction of a paedophile priest. Dwell on that last one: the man had been tried and found guilty. Consider the lack of respect that takes. With this history he was still elected pope, and now he's infallible.

[@dolsiemercado3140]

This is such a sad story. 15 years or more, SMH. I am glad finally he could break this story to the main stream.

[@blaneyblogs172]

I love this piece. This is such good quality work. Keep them coming. This guy is amazing. His story is very interesting as well.

[@leangeee]

I love how the video is edited! well made

[@DeshaunD]

Spotlight gives me chills every time I watch it. I had no idea that was a real book that they showed

[@hisokamorow8388]

I’ll never understand the sexual attraction some adults have towards young boys, it’s sick AF 🤮

[@rei6en]

HISOKA?????

[@watsonwrote]

I think it's mostly about the power trip. Children are percieved as more innocent and "free from sin" and can't fight back like an adult. So these predators are trying to exert total control over their minds and bodies by "corrupting them" and hurting them intimately, all the while reveling in the knowledge they probably won't face consequences. I could be wrong but I don't think this is anything like conventional attraction, I think it's sadism.

[@twiz476]

This dude had the integrity to question the horrible things happening in his own religion, and went against his preconceived biases in order to expose this scandal. Respect

[@marieque9298]

Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing your story! May your daughter rest in peace.

[@Richard-yp1dd]

I am catholic. And it saddens me deeply to see this report. 🙏 We need to build together better and brighter 🙏

[@Dot-Dot-Dash]

Very sick when all Catholic parents understand to never ever allow a Priest to be alone with a child, even today! Am kind of surprised that no parents attacked the abusers.

[@lauraalvarado1910]

What a moving story of a courageous journalist and loving father. Great film.

[@step8390]

God I'm crying in the end. Thank you Sir for let the world know about this story. Thank you director and NYT to reminds us this event again. And hopefully all the victims out there find peace and heal their pain.

[@Leonaza7]

This is so DISGUSTING and Vile!!!! This needs to stop in this religion. And the cover up is unbelievable. This makes me so sick that they get away with this. Sweep it under the carpet and everyone will forget about it…, 🤬🤬

[@Leonaza7]

The fact that this was ignore for so long breaks my heart to pieces! The damage was too great and nobody care for this children. All of this in the name of God! Despicable!💔

[@SwingSiren]

A beautiful piece. Full of hope and faith despite the subject matter. Thank-you

[@FukaiKokoro]

VERY well made. Very intriguing. Thank you.

[@jamesmullaney5841]

It isn't only clergy sexual abuse. The Catholic Church is committing psychiatric abuses through its social services agency, Catholic Charities. Wherever vulnerable people can be found, I guess.

[@coachfun1987]

Would love to read an autobiography by Berry about his uphill battle with this story, his faith, his family life...

[@scarbluff]

Every one of these documentaries by Ben Proudfoot has left me deeply impressed, but this one was particularly moving. The way the story is respectfully unravelled is the work of a truly gifted filmmaker. Thank you so much, Ben, for bringing these stories to light, and for treating them with honour.

[@davidgrillo9928]

Thank you for sharing. Very well done

[@oh.mylanta.]

Without your initial crack in this damm, the flood of accountability would never have been possible! Thank you!

[@kanedabukarov7809]

These almost famous short films are so good.

[@jaym3916]

After all this info, him not getting proper credit for the investigation in the film spotlight was one of the most disheartening elements in this whole story!💔💔💔💔💔

[@JosephConcerned]

This had been going on since after the start. Charles Chiniquy, as a priest, fought against the improprieties of the clergy back in the late 1800's. He was blacklisted and forced out by the Church hierarchy and defended by Lincoln in Champaign, Illinois. He wrote "Fifty Years in the Church of Rome." The Church did everything it could do to destroy his reputation. He reported in his book that he told Lincoln that he feared Lincoln was a marked man. Lincoln's conspirators were almost all Catholic. John Surratt escaped to the Vatican, which supported the South, with the help of two Montreal priests. Thank you for standing up.

[@AirQuotes]

This man is totally right to be annoyed everyone ignored him and he was trying to do good.

[@sstirling8816]

But he still attends the Catholic Church. How? Why?

[@tos4057]

Just wnat to say many Catholics including priests are ashamed about the abuse and most want and are trying to reform

[@terminusadquem6981]

That's kind of difficult to believe. I bet that's what the priests said when they've been found out by the bishop and so they've been covering up instead of reporting these people to the police.

[@tos4057]

@@terminusadquem6981 We are ashamed, a bishop isnt 1b people sir.

[@stellarocquie7957]

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! ! !

[@samanthaloh7351]

Thank you sir for bringing this to light

[@andreadaerice]

Excellent, He is a hero! Thank you for shining light on this important work.

[@conifergreen2]

Please do one on teachers too.

[@stars_and_roses3716]

And politicians.

[@marcocolo2954]

Smh then they lock the victims of these priest up on Chris Hanson show

[@booognish]

Lol yeah ? Good. Lock em all up and light the prison on fire

[@karenking5357]

@@booognish he said the victims not the perpetrators you surely don't want people who have been abused killed and burnt up I think you misunderstood what the person said for which you commented

[@stellarocquie7957]

@@karenking5357 I think he meant the victims that become abusers ( which I personally believe are few ).

[@julieann2550]

@@stellarocquie7957 statistically children are far more likely to become abusers after being abused themselves than not.

[@bobbierobinson6269]

And now it's being ignored again. Maybe in another 30yrs some newspaper will bust them. God bless the victims and watch over the people trying to uncover this evil.

[@nora02173]

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking piece