Spotlight: Inside the Investigation That Shook the Catholic Church

The Boston Globe investigation is the subject of an Oscar nominated film, here's how the original story came to be.
SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: / abcnews
Watch More on abcnews.go.com/
LIKE ABC News on FACEBOOK
/ abcnews
FOLLOW ABC News on TWITTER:
/ abc
GOOD MORNING AMERICA'S HOMEPAGE:
gma.yahoo.com/

[@lukelbd_]

Man thay NAILED the casting for this film.

[@ty22guy]

They sure did. Mark Ruffalo portrayed Mike Rezendes perfectly, even mimicking his mouth as he talked perfectly.

[@ultraboombean]

This is what journalism should be :)

[@eduardogomez2190]

I am catholic and I believe in Jesus Christ, the one thing most people don't understand is that priest or no priest, they are human, these people take advantage of their position to abuse these children, but please, religion has nothing to do with abuse, if you are a true catholic you love all the people as Jesus loves us, but go ahead and judge the religion if you don't understand this.

[@Lousy_Bastard]

Should be.

[@johnweb7055]

This what good journalism is. Not what it should be, what is has been and what it will continue to be. It pains me what our media has become and how people respond to it. But make no mistake, this type of professionalism is not dead...not by a long stretch. It is obvious to see when it’s there.

[@0510962013]

@@eduardogomez2190 it is not the religion. It is the church. the system. How they organize. Handle the issue. if there is something wrong again and again, it must be repaired

[@left4deadR]

@@eduardogomez2190 Jesus Christ poor 🤣🤣🤣

[@leetaodana535]

I was an alter boy. A priest tried to make me pull down my pants in a locked room in the basement of the church. I wouldn't do it. He's probably dead now.

[@mauriciovalentine5335]

@Michelle Michelle what makes his lying

[@2jcward]

I remember reading this book about victims, and this priest would wrap his penis with the "fruit roll-up" snack. For some reason I can't get that story it of my head. So wrong on so many levels.

[@sirsyncalot9147]

@@2jcward weird question, but what was the title of the book?

[@2jcward]

@@sirsyncalot9147 It was a psychology class assignment in college. The professor was one of the writers on the book . Can't remember the name, I just remember that particular story.

[@TB6491]

@@sirsyncalot9147 Not a weird question. Not sure if this is the same book but it’s about the abuses by catholic priests. A Gospel of Shame bu Frank Brunt & Elinor Burkett. I read about it somewhere but don’t remember where. Found the book on ebay for cheap. I was raised catholic & am thouroughly disgusted. I have some protestant family. My catholic & protestant family n friends are all good people. I’ve finally gotten to the point of kicking all religions to the curbs. I cut out all middlemen & talk to my maker straight & feel a big relief in doing so. It’s man that has messed things up imo. Good luck! 🙏

[@shanaleah6757]

When i watched the movie at the end they showed a list of all the areas where they have a Accused priest and it was basically the whole world

[@giantscauseway45]

Yeah .my best friend is fucked up from abuse ..he got his pride back but it took a long time and he could have went the other way with suicide which he often tells me .they just gave him money to keep him quiet ..and priests watching while the other priest are at it ...he told me story he only tell me full of whiskey and it's the solid truth ...there dirty bastards..and we are suppose to go in and they preach to us at mass ......

[@giantscauseway45]

They need to be named and shamed when there a complaint gone in bout them there moved away to another place to abuse again ..billions are after bein payed out on compo...and they blame the banks lol

[@eduardogomez2190]

I am catholic and I believe in Jesus Christ, the one thing most people don't understand is that priest or no priest, they are human, these people take advantage of their position to abuse these children, but please, religion has nothing to do with abuse, if you are a true catholic you love all the people as Jesus loves us, but go ahead and judge the religion if you don't understand this.

[@Jabs69]

​@@eduardogomez2190 so then to your point if you are a true catholic then you must love all the people as Jesus loves us.... allow me to refresh your memory on what the "true Catholics" that run your denomination have done instead of loving all the people as Jesus did. - A Boston Church-commissioned report in 2004 said more than 4,000 US Roman Catholic priests had faced sexual abuse allegations in the last 50 years, in cases involving more than 10,000 children - mostly boys. - A 2009 report found that sexual and psychological abuse was "endemic" in Catholic-run industrial schools and orphanages in Ireland for most of the 20th Century. - A five-year Australian inquiry in 2017 found that "tens of thousands of children" were sexually abused in Australian institutions over decades, including churches, schools and sports clubs. Here are incidents that have happened within the last year... - In February 2019, it was revealed that high-ranking Australian cardinal George Pell had been found guilty of abusing two choir boys in 1996 - he was convicted nine months earlier, but a court initially banned the press from reporting it Theodore McCarrick, a former Roman Catholic cardinal in the US, was defrocked over claims he sexually assaulted a teenager in New York in the early 1970s In August 2018, a Pennsylvania grand jury named more than 300 clergy in a report which found more than 1,000 children had been abused Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson resigned in July 2018 after being convicted of concealing child sex abuse carried out by another priest In June 2018, a former Vatican diplomat was sentenced to five years in prison for child pornography offences In Chile, 34 Roman Catholic bishops offered to resign in the wake of a child sex scandal and cover-up. I can't see how anyone could ever support and give money to an organization that hides and protects people who fuck kids but I guess you are one of many brainwashed fools who still support that garbage piece of shit Church.

[@eduardogomez2190]

Thank you for your kindness

[@Czeckie]

this is what heroes look like

[@3fishesinatank806]

Thank you , Boston Globe!

[@eduardogomez2190]

I am catholic and I believe in Jesus Christ, the one thing most people don't understand is that priest or no priest, they are human, these people take advantage of their position to abuse these children, but please, religion has nothing to do with abuse, if you are a true catholic you love all the people as Jesus loves us, but go ahead and judge the religion if you don't understand this.

[@ultravioletgaia]

@@eduardogomez2190 fuck religion. Religion's DEF involved in this. Have you watched the movie? The psychiatric priest said that the celibacy requirement is one of the major factors why this shit happens.

[@tiffmarghella9047]

Eduardo Gomez go away

[@tannermclaughlin5001]

​@@eduardogomez2190 that copout only works if its individual committing the crimes on not when it's church policy to cover it up. Which it is

[@HayastAnFedayi]

The actors did an amazing job portraying the real characters, especially Mark Rufalo

[@MIZORAM_mafaka_hnamte]

Spotlight Team did an amazing job !

[@eduardogomez2190]

I am catholic and I believe in Jesus Christ, the one thing most people don't understand is that priest or no priest, they are human, these people take advantage of their position to abuse these children, but please, religion has nothing to do with abuse, if you are a true catholic you love all the people as Jesus loves us, but go ahead and judge the religion if you don't understand this.

[@giliarmson7293]

Eduardo Gomez Sorry no !

[@RaySchwarz.]

@@eduardogomez2190 You're right in that religion has nothing to do with abuse and that people in power such as priests have abused their power as in many other industries, organizations, etc. A big part of the problem that is that years ago particularly the Irish-Americans and the Italian-Americans in major cities have all put priests on a pedestal like they were Jesus himself. "Oh Father, come in" "Oh Father, come to dinner", etc. That became a vacuum for guys like John Geogahn to come right in and take advantage of all this power and prestige, why? Because they could get away with it and nobody would go against a priest because it was like going against God. One problem that the Church has currently is not so much what they teach but more how they operate. Everything from being solely dependent on weekly donations to keeping parishes open where there's more money going out than coming in. If any business or organization operated the way the Catholic Church operated they would find themselves very quickly gone or out of business. Now am I saying we should charge people to worship? No of course not but what should be done is they need to model their infrastructure the way growing companies of today like Google and Facebook operate utilizing the latest technology available and doing background checks as well as psychological examinations of guys they allow into the seminaries to become priests.

[@tiffmarghella9047]

Eduardo Gomez go away

[@obadiahscave]

I'm over 50 years old, I've seen this same reoccurring issue with the Catholic Church, over and over since I was a kid...

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

Me too

[@sueandpatrick]

And now we know that Catholic Charities is backing the illegal immigration invasion that's pouring over our Southern Border which involves human trafficking of children. We have over 85,000 children MISSING in this country and the Biden Administration lies and covers it up. They're all complicit.

[@28Josereyes]

Thanks to the great journalism of the Boston Globe. Child Sexual abuse needs to end and priests need to pay the consequences of their evil crimes against children.

[@shanaleah6757]

Wow they did a good job finding look a likes for the movie

[@Troubleshooter125]

Robbie and Mike and Co. did far more than yeoman's service in researching and reporting that story, and they deserve big-time kudos for their work. BRAVO and BRAVA!

[@eduardogomez2190]

I am catholic and I believe in Jesus Christ, the one thing most people don't understand is that priest or no priest, they are human, these people take advantage of their position to abuse these children, but please, religion has nothing to do with abuse, if you are a true catholic you love all the people as Jesus loves us, but go ahead and judge the religion if you don't understand this.

[@elijahvigil7467]

When I saw the movie, I was devastated when I learned at the end that a few of the cities listed where priests were busted, just so happened to be places I've lived in when I was a kid....

[@anushkap-l8209]

Can you tell me the title of the movie, please

[@google-is-a-stupid-piece-o2543]

The movie is called "Spotlight".

[@ccharles848]

I grew up near Cincinnati and that region was a dumping ground for sick priests. 😠😞

[@janishani1]

Forever taking my hat off for this team. Major gratitude to all of you. All the best blessing your lives. As to every single Church related people knowing any of this and having even a nail of contribution for these acts to perpetuate you already are the first on the line to the deep hell - do not doubt it - and may you never come back to repeat the cycle.

[@67lomeli]

Thank you for posting!

[@bsktballman08]

Alter boys?!?!?!? The move said sick leave!! How much worse was this?

[@tannermclaughlin5001]

The fact that people can know this is happening and still be Catholic is disgusting

[@tannermclaughlin5001]

@@L_Martin um yeah I know

[@tannermclaughlin5001]

@@L_Martin and you could have not commented that all what's your point?

[@jackmyers2359]

@@tannermclaughlin5001 You're the kind of disgusting pos he's talking about.

[@elizabethfreer1948]

I was raised in an intense devotion to Catholicism..I was adopted from a catholic orphanage I n Quebec. My brother at age 3 was adopted at the same time same place. I learned that my brother was emotionally and sexually abused by age 3 he was a tormented child he lived a tormented life died at 41 from a aids related to drug abuse..What has been done to hundreds of children cannot be justified explained or rationalized..the birth of any child is god placing a crown on those who created that child..in the name of god the Catholic Church allowed those lives to be desecrated!

[@sharongygi1601]

This sure took a long time to get out. It is now September 2018 and this occurred at least two years ago, but the newspaper evidently didn’t go far enough Until the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report.

[@richardsimms251]

I was very, very embarrassed in the 1980’s and 1990’s to tell anyone that I was a Catholic with a Catholic early school and high school education. I gave up Catholicism and will never return to such an undemocratic and controlling organization full of hypocrites. RS. Canada

[@nicoladegiuseppe8354]

Great work. Compliments

[@katmd03]

I remember being about 10 years old hearing about this on the news when it came out.

[@feliciabosch8110]

And this abusive behaviour still continues and people are to afraid speak up why these priest are supposed to care for the folk it's absolutely devilish

[@JoshMarshain]

The church didn't really change, they just adapted to continue what they do under the table. Its methodical, its coordinated...its goddamn evil.

[@youtubellcjamessimmons]

Times up

[@kennyinliverpool]

Wow ... so depressing, ... but it was true, and the truth has to be known

[@ChiPham-jv1ke]

amazing

[@2gointruth]

Think about that which Jesus prophesied about Catholic priests, even before there were such priests... “Beware of false prophets, men who come to you dressed up as sheep while underneath they are savage wolves. You will recognize them by the fruits they bear.” - (Matthew 7: 15-16) - “Do not call any man on earth ‘father’; for you have one Father and he is in heaven. Nor must you be called ‘teacher’; you have one Teacher, the Messiah.” - (Matthew 23: 9-10) - “There is nothing covered up that will not be uncovered, nothing hidden that will not be made known. You may take it, then, that everything you said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the house tops.” - (Luke 12: 2-3) -

[@shannon6708]

and Jesus also said " Beware to those who cause these little ones to sin. For they would be better off with a heavy stone around their neck and thrown into the bottom of the sea than to face me" Amen. "Swing down sweet chariot Stop and let me ride"

[@chumark54]

My highest respect.

[@wokenspirit1697]

Now if someone could out the politicians, celebrities, and the elites

[@dianerosegrecoallen4935]

How do I get in touch with Rezendes about a story that needs to be heard.

[@google-is-a-stupid-piece-o2543]

He now works for the global investigative team at the Associated Press, so if you were to get in contact with him, that would probably be how you do it; also, what's your story about?

[@thetruthandthewaypsalm1167]

And to think that the pope covers this... The good old Vatican...

[@mikegallant811]

Geoghan got what he deserved when someone killed him in prison.

[@caronstout354]

"Gen Pop Justice" can be swift and brutal...

[@jworthington8186]

Matthew 7:17 (KJV) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. The system is corrupt. In its entire tea. Every Catholic needs to flee that system and seek out the Lord Jesus through the word of God stop listening to the Catholic Church. As a former Catholic I’m well aware of it all. Flee to the Lord Jesus.

[@gauntherbnd8670]

I just watched spotlight and i have a lots of questions. Can someone from US aswer me please

[@arseesalenga1817]

Priest in Phillipines

[@JeanLucCaptain]

i watched this movie in journalism class... THIS SHIT IS MESSED UP, AND IT GETS BETTER BECAUSE THE EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING WITH ABUSIVE CANADIAN SCHOOL TEACHERS.

[@edmundcoyle364]

Brilliant.

[@windmonk3233]

Since this crime can never be stopped, it's a good thing these journalists exposed what was actually happening, this way all parents will be more cautious making sure this will never happen to their own kids. I'm sure it will still happen but at least it will be reduced significantly.

[@59771006]

1:15 That’s the reporter Mark Ruffalo played in Spotlight

[@lunaringo9032]

These guys are heros... My gosh

[@peterteohaere4986]

And they call themselves Christians.

[@sebastianalegria3401]

is it my idea or are we attending to the funeral of the Catholic church?

[@lmtt123]

Why do people lose common sense when hearing about child abuse.

[@JesusChrist-gs1is]

Despite what you all have heard I don't use performance enhancing drugs

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

How anyone could still have faith in the catholic church is beyond me.

[@michaal105]

Faith shouldn't be in the catholic church. It should be in Jesus Christ. Do you believe the gospel?

[@oneoflokis]

But Protestant clergy do this too. And Jehova's Witnesses, and all sorts. They certainly do in the UK.

[@scottdemarest9315]

Doesn't matter what form, Catholic or otherwise. All religions operate on blind faith and submission to authority. Religion makes people vulnerable and weak. Truly the opiate of the masses

[@idipped2521]

@@scottdemarest9315If you put faith into the power structures of man you’ll easily be lead astray no matter what it is. Religion, politics, work, etc

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

​​@@oneoflokisthe RC church rewarded abusers and covered up for them. They have the power and money and police in their pockets. They are above the law in many places. It's bad no matter who does it and needs to be shouted from the rooftops. The RC church has a _holier than thou_ attitude and the Spotlight shone on them for good reason.

[@eugenemcdonald4414]

Hit him right in the wallet that's where you can do the most damage

[@jimmydet115]

Why do none of these guys have a Boston accent?

[@iijuggyii6904]

why kids man just fucking why

[@jyy9624]

Nothing worse than hypocrisy

[@emiliobello2538]

Room should have won in place of it

[@mattematsson554]

Watch Walter Veith and the "Islamic and Catholic Connection"

[@stanleygangmei5080]

This is very much in contrast to what is happening in developing countries. In India especially in North eastern states. We hardly hear such case maybe 1 in 30 - 40 years. Here priest was shot dead, bombs were planted in front of Catholic schools for not fulfilling the demands of militants. Militants are asking reservation for their children in Catholic schools. There are educating thousands and thousands of childrens being one of the top schools and colleges in India, preaching gospel and giving shelters to poor and needy Heath care.

[@Stormy77]

@stnley Yes, in India they think so highly of women in general that the priests just rape nuns with impunity and the cover up has been in effect for over 30 years. Everyone knows about it, except for you. P.s. doing some good deeds will not cancel out the evil done by the priests and those who help cover up these crimes. They should all be going straight to hell.

[@arunmathew7060]

I'm from India and i can say convincingly that it's a prevalent problem but it's covered up. However, the cover ups in a country like India, isn't limited to the church.

[@JarodFarrant]

How can anyone trust the church ⛪️ after this? Hi w can millions give money to theme after this went global?

[@780d4]

Investigate Iraq. Go after Bush

[@keldonmcfarland2969]

???

[@67lomeli]

We don't have to leave the church. We just need to transform it by getting rid of all priests and Pope!

[@politereminder6284]

This was an interesting investigation, but the movie was sooooo...boring.

[@eduardogomez2190]

I am catholic and I believe in Jesus Christ, the one thing most people don't understand is that priest or no priest, they are human, these people take advantage of their position to abuse these children, but please, religion has nothing to do with abuse, if you are a true catholic you love all the people as Jesus loves us, but go ahead and judge the religion if you don't understand this.

[@breathefree.]

If you "love all the people as Jesus loves us," you would absolutely not tolerate this ongoing criminal activity. You would be organizing every Catholic around you to stand up to this; to demand that the rot be rooted out or you'll rescind your membership and shut down your church. You don't need a man-made, criminal religion to love people as Jesus commanded.

[@mjkrbjcw]

I would buy that argument if they were fired when there caught & sent to prison because there are men in every walk of life that abuse children but no where else would you get caught abusing children & not only keep your job but moved on to fresh turf to abuse all over again … the church actually facilitates it

[@bornyesterday2994]

This movie sucked

[@rinalaurajenn]

Born Yesterday like your LIFE SUCK

[@rinalaurajenn]

oowww roasted

[@bornyesterday2994]

du maneee skratta du worst movie i ever seen

[@rinalaurajenn]

worst life you ever lived

[@thespinoza4342]

Are you from catholic church?