Vatican Paper Says 'Not All Monsters Wear Cassocks' Post 'Spotlight' Oscar Win
The 88th Academy Awards reached all the way to the Vatican Sunday night as the cast of the film "Spotlight" publicly called on Pope Francis to ensure priests who sexually abused children are prosecuted for their crimes.
The film, which unexpectedly won the best picture award, is about the Boston Globe's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into Catholic priests sexually abusing children in the United States.
In a front-page editorial on Monday, the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano praised the Oscar winner for its effort to show abuse and cover-ups in the Catholic Church.
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The newspaper called the film, "not anti-Catholic" and reported that "Spotlight" faithfully presented the Church's attempts to defend itself in the face of "horrendous realities."
"Not all monsters wear cassocks. Paedophilia does not necessarily arise from the vow of chastity," Lucetta Scaraffia, the editorial's author wrote. "However, it has become clear that in the Church some are more preoccupied with the image of the institution than of the seriousness of the act."
While the win came as a surprise to many, "Spotlight" serves more as a hard look into the methodical work of journalism rather than the heinous crimes talked about in the film. However, the movie has a message that filmmakers are hoping will get Francis' attention and those in power that can ensure justice and change.
"This film gave a voice to survivors," producer Michael Sugar said while proudly accepting the Academy Award. "And this film amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican."
"Pope Francis, it is time to protect the children and restore the faith," he added, surrounded by the film's cast. "Spotlight" also won for Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer's original screenplay.
Although there has yet to be a response from the pontiff this week, last year Francis publicly asked survivors and the faithful for forgiveness for scandals at the Vatican and in Rome. Referencing two cases of priests and homosexual scandals revealed during some of their major meetings at the time.
"Today ... in the name of the Church, I ask you for forgiveness for the scandals that have occurred recently either in Rome or in the Vatican," Francis said without elaborating in unprepared remarks during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Just hours before the Oscars this year, McCarthy, Singer and "Spotlight" actor Mark Ruffalo joined protesters outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
"Standing with the survivors of priest sexual abuse," Ruffalo tweeted on Sunday. They stood in solidarity with members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests demanding the public release of the names of pedophile members of the clergy.
"Spotlight" is a look into the real life story in 2001 when editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Ruffalo), Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James) and Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. Throughout "Spotlight" the reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.
In total, Spotlight was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing. Check out the Complete list of winners for the 88th Academy Awards HERE.
