"Spotlight," the movie based on the Boston Globe’s investigation into the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal, took home the Best Picture award at the Oscars Sunday.
The Globe celebrated the win but running a full-page thank you in their newspaper to all of those who worked on the movie. At Sunday’s ceremony, producers said the top honor means more for the abuse survivors. Former Globe reporter Matt Carroll also tweeted congratulations to actor Brian d’Arcy James, who plays him in the movie.
"This film gave a voice to survivors and this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican," said producer Michael Sugar.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also congratulated the film’s cast and crew, saying the win was well-deserved.
"I commend the reporters that were part of that series that were able to bring light to this and address the things that happened in the church to a lot of people," said Walsh. "And I commend them on the Academy Award last night."
"Spotlight" also won the first award of the night, given for Best Original Screenplay.
On Tuesday, Cardinal Sean O’Malley released a statement:
Spotlight is an important film for all impacted by the tragedy of clergy sexual abuse. By providing in-depth reporting on the history of the clergy sexual abuse crisis, the media led the Church to acknowledge the crimes and sins of its personnel and to begin to address its failings, the harm done to victims and their families and the needs of survivors. In a democracy such as ours, journalism is essential to our way of life. The media’s role in revealing the sexual abuse crisis opened a door through which the Church has walked in responding to the needs of survivors.
Protecting children and providing support for survivors and their families must be a priority in all aspects of the life of the Church.
We are committed to vigilant implementation of policies and procedures for preventing the recurrence of the tragedy of the abuse of children. These include comprehensive child safety education programs, mandatory background checks and safe environments training, mandatory reporting to and cooperating with civil authorities with regard to allegations of abuse, and caring for survivors and their families through the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach. The Archdiocese consistently provides counselling and medical services for survivors and family members who seek our help and we remain steadfast in that commitment. We continue to seek the forgiveness of all who have been harmed by the tragedy of clergy sexual abuse and pray that each day the Lord may guide us on the path toward healing and renewal.
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