That quote comes from a scene of the movie, "Spotlight," wherein the Boston Globe Spotlight team is on a phone call with a former priest who has researched into priest behavior and particularly sexual abuse. His statement during that call was something to the effect of: "Roughly six percent act out sexually."
Later, having done further research, Globe reporter Mike Rezendes comes up with the following to his fellow reporter, Walter Robinson and editor Ben Bradlee, Jr.:
Mike Rezendes: Six percent is 90.
Walter 'Robby' Robinson: 90 priests?
Ben Bradlee Jr.: If there were 90 of these bastards, people would know.
Mike Rezendes: Maybe they do.
Spotlight is one damned powerful film. If you have any means at all to view it, I recommend it highly.
I just asked Gemini about that. It IS on Prime, so you should be good to go. In addition, I would greatly enjoy hearing your impressions regarding the movie after you've seen it.
An institution that protects child abuse does not deserve to be defended. The systematic abuse of children has been the Catholic Church's dirty little secret for centuries.
Oh, gad. You, me, and just about everyone here, too. The man was fucking BRILLIANT, and we could really use his voice and his intellect and his razor-sharp, incisive analysis of what is going on in the here and now.
It is indeed a crime. It's also an abomination against the most innocent and least able to defend themselves. Anyone, priest or layman, who takes liberties with children deserve nothing less than the full measure of the law, focused precisely on THEM.
What set of commandments gives that little glitch. I can think of almost every commandment and find child molestation wrong by each. Some of the most obvious , adultery, greed, envy, disrespect, keeping the temple sanctified. Teach the children the way to go and they will follow all the days of their lives, do unto others, love thy neighbor, do not tempt thy brother.
They are not trying to say that children are objects rather than humans are they, even then there are moral abhorations involved.
Whomever believes that it is not morally corrupt is seriously delusional.
“Every religion has made mistakes. The parishioners of every religion have made mistakes. That does not define the religion.”
It does when it is systemic, when it has been happening for centuries, when it is covered up by the system, from the lowest levels all the way to the highest, when it is not a mistake but the way things are done.
I'm so glad that this has passed is been a long 3 years of fighting for this. I'm proud to have argued against the Catholic lobbyists, bishop, and Republican opposition in testimony and rallying support for the legislation.
The legislative sponsors ran things past us several times over the years to get input on the JW perspective. It was important that we try to make sure it coveres the smaller, less understood high control religions.
"Professionals who break those rules face up to a year in prison and thousands of euros in fines.
France has over the past years carved out exceptions to those penalties, especially in cases of minor abuse, he noted. French law also makes it mandatory for anyone to report abuse against minors or vulnerable people; those who fail to do so face up to three years in prison and a hefty fine.
But barring rare instances involving imminent or life-threatening danger, Mr. Py said, the law exempts secrecy-bound professionals from such obligations. The legal precedent is to let them choose: They face no penalties if they report abuse, but don’t face any either if they keep the information private."
“If Jesus is so damn powerful, then a bill protecting children from abuse shouldn’t be an issue for Him. It’s telling that Dufault thinks protecting kids would “undermine” and “attack” the Catholic faith.”
If he was so powerful then there wouldn’t be a problem with child molestation in the church, any church. If he was so powerful the RCC would be the moral authority it claims it is, but it’s not, it is a moral monster with a history of horrendous acts of cruelty, violence and abuse. These mistakes he talks about are things that his all mighty should have been able to prevent completely, but instead we have centuries of “mistakes” that never get addressed without outside oversight and accountability.
There is no more compromise, no one can afford to look the other way anymore. We never could but still we tried. Well, we’re done trying.
Now we need a bill that includes the Mormons. They get around things because they have no trained or paid clergy. The “bishop” is instructed to NOT report the abuse but there is a hotline they are supposed to call instead. This line goes directly to the church’s lawyers who then do all they can to protect the perpetrator and often shame the victim.
This bill covers all faiths. One of the things I helped give input on was language to make sure it covered the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who like to play games with their "volunteer" clergy. The definition of Clergy in the bill is robust. Not saying they won't try to argue it doesn't apply, but they would fail to argue that successfully in court
There's a very secretive Christian group known as the 2x2s that has had serious problems with abuse, but there's no official registered organization or anything. When a state overseer of the 2x2s was charged with failure to report child abuse by one of the 'workers', the overseer made the argument that without an organization he couldn't be clergy. Glad to hear the bill covers less 'official' clergy arrangements and positions!
Let’s hope so. They will look for loopholes but now I know they took all religions into consideration. They don’t call their meetings confessions or protected. They will tell all other leaders and gossip behind the victims back. They don’t keep it confidential at all.
This is a no-brainer, so the Republicons should be able to understand it.
It is way past time to do something serious about child abuse by sexual predators. Connected offenders, like clergy, cops and elected scumbags are always given a break when it comes to sentencing. Probation or sentences that run for months, not years, are far too common.
Why can’t we get serious about protecting our most valuable resource, our children, from the most evil predators? The Catholic Church would be a fine place to start cracking down, with extreme prejudice.
Any argument the catholic church might have had about the sanctity of the confession, died with the large truly large number of occasions when it was catholic clergy who were either doing the abusing or covering up the abuse!
When it comes to child abuse, the church deserves no sympathy. None.
PS Maybe we should push for some laws, which mandate that a priest/pastor/minister is only allowed out, when accompanied by a drag queen?
There are lies, damned religious lies and plenty of statistics that show the enormous amount of cover ups in religious institutions. Recidivism is high among molesters. Those monsters aren’t going to “cleanse” their sin at confession nor are they rushing to imprison themselves.
Talk about a big honking deal! THIS IS IT. I can just hear Bildo and the Catholic Church, screaming bloody murder at this bill, and not just them, either. It is entirely past time that clergy of all sorts take responsibility for the actions of those of their number who act out against their youngest congregants and parishioners.
The confessional never should have been a Get Out Of Jail Free card for pedophiles of ANY sort, including those who wear a particular type of collar. Perhaps now that concept can be realized in law.
AND those who shuffled the offenders to diocese after diocese to keep them from being discovered and potentially arrested and charged with their crimes!
It is such a relief to see a legislature put the health and wellbeing of children above some religious groups myths and lies. There is hope if we keep pushing to stop irrational mythical beliefs ever getting priority over human rights and civil rights. That will require a few new people on the SCOTUS.
My kid goes to school with Defaults kid. Gonna have to bite my tongue at drop off to keep from asking him why he wants to protect sexual aggressors and abusers from accountability.
You know, after leaving this comment I’ve been playing out different versions of that scenario in my head. Ranging from finger jabbing in his chest to cool calm and collected civil conversation. What I’m curious about, cautious about maybe, is that I don’t know if the preschool drop-off parking lot is the appropriate time/place to have that interaction. Is being concerned about the appropriate time/place something that in 2025 we need to be actually concerned about?
Perhaps not a confrontation but a simple statement of values. “Looking at all these innocent children it’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that some people think the more morally correct action is to protect their abusers.” Don’t expect an answer: just make your statement and move on. You are not going to change his thinking arguing with him and certainly not if he can convince himself you are attacking his religion.
Frankly, I wish with all my being that supporters of child rape would be held to account in the parking lots, gas stations, grocery stores, ball parks, or (yes) churches wherever they dare to show their faces in public. They should be made to feel utter shame wherever they go, and they'd deserve every second of it!
Pas trop tôt.
"Catholic lobbyists have argued this bill singles out priests"
If it does, ask yourself why !
Answer: OF COURSE, IT DOES, MORONS! They're the perpetrators!
What was it that guy said in the movie Spotlight? Oh, yeah:
"Six percent is 90."
And THAT proved to be an UNDER-estimate!
J'pige que dalle 🤔
That quote comes from a scene of the movie, "Spotlight," wherein the Boston Globe Spotlight team is on a phone call with a former priest who has researched into priest behavior and particularly sexual abuse. His statement during that call was something to the effect of: "Roughly six percent act out sexually."
Later, having done further research, Globe reporter Mike Rezendes comes up with the following to his fellow reporter, Walter Robinson and editor Ben Bradlee, Jr.:
Mike Rezendes: Six percent is 90.
Walter 'Robby' Robinson: 90 priests?
Ben Bradlee Jr.: If there were 90 of these bastards, people would know.
Mike Rezendes: Maybe they do.
Spotlight is one damned powerful film. If you have any means at all to view it, I recommend it highly.
I will see if it's on Prime, after DM's death I cancelled Netflix, Max and Disney+.
I just asked Gemini about that. It IS on Prime, so you should be good to go. In addition, I would greatly enjoy hearing your impressions regarding the movie after you've seen it.
And just for fun, here's the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anMa-LM6veM
You already know what I think about abrahamic religions 🤣
Simply because their carve out made escaping the law possible, made one of the most grievous crimes protected...
The God sized hole is closed, another gap sealed.
👏👏👆🎯
It’s like when Republicans complain about how games where you shoot Nazis is “cruel”.
An institution that protects child abuse does not deserve to be defended. The systematic abuse of children has been the Catholic Church's dirty little secret for centuries.
Yer bringing out the quote-monger in me, man!
𝐼𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑖𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ.
-- Christopher Hitchens, 2009 Intelligence Squared debate
I miss Hitch's voice.
Oh, gad. You, me, and just about everyone here, too. The man was fucking BRILLIANT, and we could really use his voice and his intellect and his razor-sharp, incisive analysis of what is going on in the here and now.
Agreed but Let’s not let the Muslims off the hook either.
Absolutely.
To the RCC clergy who object to this:
Child molestation isn't a "sin," it's a fucking crime. Sins are imaginary. The broken minds and bodies of children are real.
It is indeed a crime. It's also an abomination against the most innocent and least able to defend themselves. Anyone, priest or layman, who takes liberties with children deserve nothing less than the full measure of the law, focused precisely on THEM.
Our kids deserve nothing less than that.
What set of commandments gives that little glitch. I can think of almost every commandment and find child molestation wrong by each. Some of the most obvious , adultery, greed, envy, disrespect, keeping the temple sanctified. Teach the children the way to go and they will follow all the days of their lives, do unto others, love thy neighbor, do not tempt thy brother.
They are not trying to say that children are objects rather than humans are they, even then there are moral abhorations involved.
Whomever believes that it is not morally corrupt is seriously delusional.
“Every religion has made mistakes. The parishioners of every religion have made mistakes. That does not define the religion.”
It does when it is systemic, when it has been happening for centuries, when it is covered up by the system, from the lowest levels all the way to the highest, when it is not a mistake but the way things are done.
Since the 3rd or 4th Century, when clergy were molesting/raping both children and adults and were answerable to no one.
🎯
And child molestation is not a "mistake". It's deliberate sexual violation of a child.
I'm so glad that this has passed is been a long 3 years of fighting for this. I'm proud to have argued against the Catholic lobbyists, bishop, and Republican opposition in testimony and rallying support for the legislation.
Thank you for your hard work and courage.
Are you a co-author or a sponsor ?
No. Just an exJW activist. This legislation resulted after a friend of mine contacted a journalist to look into cover-ups within the JWs in WA. https://www.investigatewest.org/investigatewest-reports/jehovahs-witnesses-covered-up-child-sexual-abuse-in-washington-state-for-decades-lawsuit-alleges-17692697
The legislative sponsors ran things past us several times over the years to get input on the JW perspective. It was important that we try to make sure it coveres the smaller, less understood high control religions.
I think I can speak for all of the regulars here at FA when I say we're glad you stepped up and brought what you could to this situation. Many thanks!
Do you want to learn French ?
We need people like you here 🤬
"Professionals who break those rules face up to a year in prison and thousands of euros in fines.
France has over the past years carved out exceptions to those penalties, especially in cases of minor abuse, he noted. French law also makes it mandatory for anyone to report abuse against minors or vulnerable people; those who fail to do so face up to three years in prison and a hefty fine.
But barring rare instances involving imminent or life-threatening danger, Mr. Py said, the law exempts secrecy-bound professionals from such obligations. The legal precedent is to let them choose: They face no penalties if they report abuse, but don’t face any either if they keep the information private."
It sure looks as though he's involved, one way or another, and particularly as regards the Jehovah's Witnesses!
https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2025/mar/24/wa-bill-mandating-clergy-report-abuse-clears-senate-floor/
❤️Thank you for doing the work of the good, against true evil.
“If Jesus is so damn powerful, then a bill protecting children from abuse shouldn’t be an issue for Him. It’s telling that Dufault thinks protecting kids would “undermine” and “attack” the Catholic faith.”
If he was so powerful then there wouldn’t be a problem with child molestation in the church, any church. If he was so powerful the RCC would be the moral authority it claims it is, but it’s not, it is a moral monster with a history of horrendous acts of cruelty, violence and abuse. These mistakes he talks about are things that his all mighty should have been able to prevent completely, but instead we have centuries of “mistakes” that never get addressed without outside oversight and accountability.
There is no more compromise, no one can afford to look the other way anymore. We never could but still we tried. Well, we’re done trying.
Now we need a bill that includes the Mormons. They get around things because they have no trained or paid clergy. The “bishop” is instructed to NOT report the abuse but there is a hotline they are supposed to call instead. This line goes directly to the church’s lawyers who then do all they can to protect the perpetrator and often shame the victim.
Check out https://floodlit.org/
This bill covers all faiths. One of the things I helped give input on was language to make sure it covered the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who like to play games with their "volunteer" clergy. The definition of Clergy in the bill is robust. Not saying they won't try to argue it doesn't apply, but they would fail to argue that successfully in court
There's a very secretive Christian group known as the 2x2s that has had serious problems with abuse, but there's no official registered organization or anything. When a state overseer of the 2x2s was charged with failure to report child abuse by one of the 'workers', the overseer made the argument that without an organization he couldn't be clergy. Glad to hear the bill covers less 'official' clergy arrangements and positions!
Thank you. That is good to know. Their lawyers will certainly look for loopholes. I’m so glad that was taken into consideration.
Well done sir, much respect!
The bill doesn't specify Catholics. Even if the Mor(m)on clergy aren't trained or paid, I think this would still apply to them.
Let’s hope so. They will look for loopholes but now I know they took all religions into consideration. They don’t call their meetings confessions or protected. They will tell all other leaders and gossip behind the victims back. They don’t keep it confidential at all.
Who would think that a religion (relatively recently) thought up by a con man in jail, because he liked to bone little girls, could be so twisted? /s
Right! I’m glad to have escaped. It’s awful.
This is a no-brainer, so the Republicons should be able to understand it.
It is way past time to do something serious about child abuse by sexual predators. Connected offenders, like clergy, cops and elected scumbags are always given a break when it comes to sentencing. Probation or sentences that run for months, not years, are far too common.
Why can’t we get serious about protecting our most valuable resource, our children, from the most evil predators? The Catholic Church would be a fine place to start cracking down, with extreme prejudice.
The Catholic church will, of course, punish the priests who obey this very moral law far more than they ever punished the child rapists.
𝑆𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚: 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 “𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛.”
This is the 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 way to handle this. What's to stop the abuser from just continuing their abuse and confessing repeatedly?
“𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑠.”
This is the 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 way to handle this. Criminal child raping scum should be reported to authorities. Every time.
Any argument the catholic church might have had about the sanctity of the confession, died with the large truly large number of occasions when it was catholic clergy who were either doing the abusing or covering up the abuse!
When it comes to child abuse, the church deserves no sympathy. None.
PS Maybe we should push for some laws, which mandate that a priest/pastor/minister is only allowed out, when accompanied by a drag queen?
There are lies, damned religious lies and plenty of statistics that show the enormous amount of cover ups in religious institutions. Recidivism is high among molesters. Those monsters aren’t going to “cleanse” their sin at confession nor are they rushing to imprison themselves.
Talk about a big honking deal! THIS IS IT. I can just hear Bildo and the Catholic Church, screaming bloody murder at this bill, and not just them, either. It is entirely past time that clergy of all sorts take responsibility for the actions of those of their number who act out against their youngest congregants and parishioners.
The confessional never should have been a Get Out Of Jail Free card for pedophiles of ANY sort, including those who wear a particular type of collar. Perhaps now that concept can be realized in law.
Penance should include jail time for rapists of all stripes.
And those who knew and kept silent.
AND those who shuffled the offenders to diocese after diocese to keep them from being discovered and potentially arrested and charged with their crimes!
It's too bad evil ex-pope Benedict is dead because that was his job.
What. You. Said!
It is such a relief to see a legislature put the health and wellbeing of children above some religious groups myths and lies. There is hope if we keep pushing to stop irrational mythical beliefs ever getting priority over human rights and civil rights. That will require a few new people on the SCOTUS.
Yay! So proud of my state.
So civilized, unlike mine.
My kid goes to school with Defaults kid. Gonna have to bite my tongue at drop off to keep from asking him why he wants to protect sexual aggressors and abusers from accountability.
Then save your tongue. That would be an interesting conversation
You know, after leaving this comment I’ve been playing out different versions of that scenario in my head. Ranging from finger jabbing in his chest to cool calm and collected civil conversation. What I’m curious about, cautious about maybe, is that I don’t know if the preschool drop-off parking lot is the appropriate time/place to have that interaction. Is being concerned about the appropriate time/place something that in 2025 we need to be actually concerned about?
That’s what I’ve been chewing on all morning.
Perhaps not a confrontation but a simple statement of values. “Looking at all these innocent children it’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that some people think the more morally correct action is to protect their abusers.” Don’t expect an answer: just make your statement and move on. You are not going to change his thinking arguing with him and certainly not if he can convince himself you are attacking his religion.
Frankly, I wish with all my being that supporters of child rape would be held to account in the parking lots, gas stations, grocery stores, ball parks, or (yes) churches wherever they dare to show their faces in public. They should be made to feel utter shame wherever they go, and they'd deserve every second of it!