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Clips from Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

You know, the Catholic Church was part of who we are and what we are.

"You know, the Catholic Church was part of who we are and what we are."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The priest, he is the carrier of the sacrament.

"The priest, he is the carrier of the sacrament."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

You know, it's almost like he's the...he's got the Holy Grail.

"You know, it's almost like he's the...he's got the Holy Grail."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

I remember interviewing a woman once and she said,

"I remember interviewing a woman once and she said,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"We used to get down on our knees when he passed by"

""We used to get down on our knees when he passed by""

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"and bless ourselves. He carried the host, you know.

""and bless ourselves. He carried the host, you know."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

That's how people saw them," and that's because they were almost Godlike.

"That's how people saw them," and that's because they were almost Godlike."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The government investigation into the Singing Priest

"The government investigation into the Singing Priest"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

uncovered church documents that revealed a new dimension

"uncovered church documents that revealed a new dimension"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

to the worldwide sex abuse scandal.

"to the worldwide sex abuse scandal."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

It was the role played by bishops and the Vatican in allowing the abuse to continue.

"It was the role played by bishops and the Vatican in allowing the abuse to continue."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Year after year, parents reported Walsh's abuse to the Dublin archdiocese,

"Year after year, parents reported Walsh's abuse to the Dublin archdiocese,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

but the church did not punish the priest,

"but the church did not punish the priest,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

reach out to the victims or alert local parents.

"reach out to the victims or alert local parents."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

As revelations continued in the Walsh case,

"As revelations continued in the Walsh case,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

parents and survivors scanned the Murphy Report

"parents and survivors scanned the Murphy Report"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

to learn the extent of the crimes and the cover-up.

"to learn the extent of the crimes and the cover-up."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Documents showed that the church kept allowing Walsh

"Documents showed that the church kept allowing Walsh"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

to care for children, even after a secret stint

"to care for children, even after a secret stint"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

in a clinic run by the Servants of the Paraclete.

"in a clinic run by the Servants of the Paraclete."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

VOICE DISTORTED: The clinic allowed Father Walsh

"VOICE DISTORTED: The clinic allowed Father Walsh"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

to roam the streets

"to roam the streets"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

of the nearby large city, after admitting

"of the nearby large city, after admitting"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

to abusing 100 kids, unsupervised.

"to abusing 100 kids, unsupervised."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

He was allowed to dress in clerical attire and said Masses

"He was allowed to dress in clerical attire and said Masses"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

in the local churches.

"in the local churches."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Father Walsh visited a house and paid a lot of attention to the 11-year-old son.

"Father Walsh visited a house and paid a lot of attention to the 11-year-old son."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

He agreed to babysit for the children and God knows what happened to the kids that week.

"He agreed to babysit for the children and God knows what happened to the kids that week."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Yeah.

"Yeah."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

I mean, that's a clinic allowing him to do something like that.

"I mean, that's a clinic allowing him to do something like that."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

That is ridiculous. And they're not being held accountable.

"That is ridiculous. And they're not being held accountable."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

It's...

"It's..."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Father Walsh was immediately removed from the clinic.

"Father Walsh was immediately removed from the clinic."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

I think it's about time when a paedophile gets thrown out of a clinic.

"I think it's about time when a paedophile gets thrown out of a clinic."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

"Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

And we ask these and all our prayers,

"And we ask these and all our prayers,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

"through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Even after a decade of abuse,

"Even after a decade of abuse,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

the faithful heard nothing about Walsh from the Archbishop of Dublin.

"the faithful heard nothing about Walsh from the Archbishop of Dublin."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Why didn't you go yourself, Bishop?

"Why didn't you go yourself, Bishop?"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

- Go where? - Go to the victims yourself.

"- Go where? - Go to the victims yourself."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Erm... And encourage them to go to the police.

"Erm... And encourage them to go to the police."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

I suppose perhaps I should've, perhaps I should have done

"I suppose perhaps I should've, perhaps I should have done"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

but, erm, I've so much to do.

"but, erm, I've so much to do."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

In secret, Archbishop Connell did launch an investigation,

"In secret, Archbishop Connell did launch an investigation,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

but according to the laws of Roman Catholicism, known as Canon law,

"but according to the laws of Roman Catholicism, known as Canon law,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Connell followed orders from the Vatican to keep any details of Walsh's crimes

"Connell followed orders from the Vatican to keep any details of Walsh's crimes"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

hidden behind the walls of the church.

"hidden behind the walls of the church."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Everybody involved in that process,

"Everybody involved in that process,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

the accuser, the accused and the witnesses,

"the accuser, the accused and the witnesses,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

are all obliged to take an oath of absolute secrecy,

"are all obliged to take an oath of absolute secrecy,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

that they will never reveal for the rest of their life

"that they will never reveal for the rest of their life"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

any of the information that they learned in the process.

"any of the information that they learned in the process."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Victims were sworn to absolute secrecy.

"Victims were sworn to absolute secrecy."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

And the sanction for breaking that secrecy

"And the sanction for breaking that secrecy"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

was automatic excommunication, the ultimate sanction the Church can enforce.

"was automatic excommunication, the ultimate sanction the Church can enforce."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

When you read the Murphy Report

"When you read the Murphy Report"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

you begin to see the same patterns emerging all over the place.

"you begin to see the same patterns emerging all over the place."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Patterns in Boston and in Milwaukee

"Patterns in Boston and in Milwaukee"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

that were similar to Dublin.

"that were similar to Dublin."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Priests were moved from "A" to "B" to "C" to "D"...

"Priests were moved from "A" to "B" to "C" to "D"..."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Nobody told anybody, the civil authorities were not informed.

"Nobody told anybody, the civil authorities were not informed."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The Murphy Commission got access to documents, they got cooperation

"The Murphy Commission got access to documents, they got cooperation"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

from Archbishop Devlin Martin,

"from Archbishop Devlin Martin,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

and were able to reveal, how the Vatican was part

"and were able to reveal, how the Vatican was part"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

of what went on in Dublin

"of what went on in Dublin"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

In fact, how the Vatican oversaw it.

"In fact, how the Vatican oversaw it."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Following the dictates of the Vatican,

"Following the dictates of the Vatican,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

13 years after the first sign of Walsh's abuse,

"13 years after the first sign of Walsh's abuse,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Archbishop Connell finally convened a secret church trial.

"Archbishop Connell finally convened a secret church trial."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

They appoint three judges, Canon lawyers, to listen to evidence,

"They appoint three judges, Canon lawyers, to listen to evidence,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

which is overwhelmingly evidence against this guy,

"which is overwhelmingly evidence against this guy,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

and they recommend in 1992 that he should be dismissed from the priesthood.

"and they recommend in 1992 that he should be dismissed from the priesthood."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

And he's always pleaded not guilty.

"And he's always pleaded not guilty."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Even though he's admitted to 100 cases of abuse,

"Even though he's admitted to 100 cases of abuse,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

he's pleaded not guilty.

"he's pleaded not guilty."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

He appeals that to Rome.

"He appeals that to Rome."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

For eight months, the Vatican dithers

"For eight months, the Vatican dithers"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

and decides what to do with him,

"and decides what to do with him,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

and in that eight months he abuses another child.

"and in that eight months he abuses another child."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Abuses a child at his grandfather's funeral.

"Abuses a child at his grandfather's funeral."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The Vatican is fundamentally responsible

"The Vatican is fundamentally responsible"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

for this guy being abused.

"for this guy being abused."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The Vatican come back and decide,

"The Vatican come back and decide,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"Well, we won't dismiss him from the priesthood,

""Well, we won't dismiss him from the priesthood,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"Put him in a monastery for 10 years."

""Put him in a monastery for 10 years.""

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The bishop is tearing his hair out.

"The bishop is tearing his hair out."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"What do you mean, put him in a monastery for 10 years?"

""What do you mean, put him in a monastery for 10 years?""

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"No monastery will take him!"

""No monastery will take him!""

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

And so, Des Connell pleads with the Vatican,

"And so, Des Connell pleads with the Vatican,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

and he personally went to see Cardinal Ratzinger

"and he personally went to see Cardinal Ratzinger"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

to write his dismissal order.

"to write his dismissal order."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

The Vatican did nothing.

"The Vatican did nothing."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

But angry parents forced the police to act.

"But angry parents forced the police to act."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Walsh was convicted of sexual assault in 1995.

"Walsh was convicted of sexual assault in 1995."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Only then, after tolerating Walsh's abuse of hundreds of children,

"Only then, after tolerating Walsh's abuse of hundreds of children,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

did the Vatican finally dismiss Father Walsh

"did the Vatican finally dismiss Father Walsh"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

from the priestly state.

"from the priestly state."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Two priests who were judges on the Tony Walsh case

"Two priests who were judges on the Tony Walsh case"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

swore an oath of secrecy.

"swore an oath of secrecy."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

Where are they now? They're two bishops.

"Where are they now? They're two bishops."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

For priests, secrecy can have its rewards.

"For priests, secrecy can have its rewards."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

But for the faithful in Ireland, the cover-up may be an unforgivable sin.

"But for the faithful in Ireland, the cover-up may be an unforgivable sin."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

We were 95% practicing Catholics.

"We were 95% practicing Catholics."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

I spoke to a priest only yesterday, he says,

"I spoke to a priest only yesterday, he says,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"4% come to church in Dublin."

""4% come to church in Dublin.""

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

But that's not to say that they've lost their faith.

"But that's not to say that they've lost their faith."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

They certainly lost faith in the hierarchy.

"They certainly lost faith in the hierarchy."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

In 2010, Pope Benedict sought to bring the flock back to the church

"In 2010, Pope Benedict sought to bring the flock back to the church"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

by writing an unprecedented letter to the Irish faithful.

"by writing an unprecedented letter to the Irish faithful."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

To us bishops he says,

"To us bishops he says,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"We must admit that grave errors of judgment were made,

""We must admit that grave errors of judgment were made,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"and failures of leadership occurred

""and failures of leadership occurred"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

"which have seriously undermined our credibility and effectiveness."

""which have seriously undermined our credibility and effectiveness.""

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

What he does is, he blames the Irish bishops

"What he does is, he blames the Irish bishops"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

for their misplaced concern

"for their misplaced concern"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

for the reputation of the church in the avoidance of scandal,

"for the reputation of the church in the avoidance of scandal,"

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

for not following Canon law.

"for not following Canon law."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

He never once acknowledged the role of the Vatican in all of this.

"He never once acknowledged the role of the Vatican in all of this."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

I spoke to one bishop who was so angry.

"I spoke to one bishop who was so angry."

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)

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