Movie No. 66 (2013): MEA MAXIMA CULPA (Silence in the House of God)

Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)
Director: Alex Gibney
Documentary

In this documentary feature, four deaf men accuse a priest of molesting them and almost two hundred other boys when they were students of St. John's School for the Deaf in Wisconsin. These men, now in their 40s or 50s, recount the details of the sexual abuse committed by Father Lawrence Murphy against them. The film also presents the public protests against pedophiles in the clergy and the silence of the Catholic church on the matter. The cover-up is shown to wind its way from the Milwaukee, to the Ireland's churches, and all the way to Vatican. 

The film is brave and well-researched. This has a similar subject matter as the equally excellent documentary Deliver Us From Evil. It's just that in the case presented in this feature, the abused were deaf and all boys. Sometimes, the film is tough to watch because it makes you angry and question the authority these priests imposed on themselves. Why can't they see raping or molesting a child as a crime? Is it really enough that the offender repents and then be re-installed to his post? I also don't like the idea that priests see themselves as more superior (to the extent of being supernatural) human being and that they can decide who to excommunicate or receive the Sacrament. It's preposterous. They can commit crime and get away with it just because the Vatican doesn't want scandal. And that vow of silence is an easy scapegoat to cover-up crimes committed by the clergy, such as pedophilia.

And then the Pope resigned. I'm beginning to understand.

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen: March 25, 2013