Original subtitles

These priests

are raping children, and we just move them so they can do it again.

We must go very quietly.

You must put together a report that we can send to Rome.

Father Brian Spillane of Bathurst, assaulted three girls.

Father Paul Ryan of Melbourne,

interfered with two boys. Would you

take that for me, please?

Just read it.

And I'll call you.

I'm alright. Father Andrassi's here.

He's gonna come and get you. You know what'll happen if you

say anything to your Dad? What did Father Andrassi

say that Dad might do? Kill him and go to jail,

because of what he does to me. Abused? Like sexual abuse?

He's touching the boys! Can't you see?

One day I'll come back, I'll fuckin' kill you, you know?

Hello, Father.

Hello, Bridie.

Did you read it?

Yeah, of course. It's sickening.

Almost impossible to believe.

But it's all true.

All the rumours, the lot.

And the worst part is, you all knew.

Of course I didn't know.

What do you want me to do?

Leak it to a journo, or...? No, the Catholic bashers in

the press will tear down the church.

Now, I see no need

to endanger the entire Church to rid it of this scourge.

I broke the papal secret bringing this to you.

The clergy who offend against children are to be investigated

within the Church and by the Church.

Never publicly.

Anyone who makes this abuse public faces immediate excommunication.

Do you understand that?

Then what?

There's a school funding deal coming up,

and you're the chair on the committee. I thought...

use that in the negotiations against the Church.

Use it to get Bishop McNally to act.

Mm. Look, I'll call you.

Hi, sweetie.

Hi, Dad.

So, what'd you have for dinner? Shepherd's pie.

The man said we could have whatever we wanted.

What man?

What man? A priest.

He said he knew you from work, so I thought it was OK.

What priest?

I can't remember. Um...

Dad? Just pack up your stuff.

But you said we could eat at the restaurant.

Now. Pack up now. What about the termites?

We're going home. Why? What?

Come on.

Bishop McNally. Bishop John McNally!

My Lord is in a meeting, Doctor Allen. You can't go in there.

Who's shouting?

What is it, Tom? You seem agitated.

The man outside my house?

The voice at the end of the phone?

You're stalking my family, you're terrorising my children.

All of it, it ends now. I don't know what you're

talking about. You used me to give yourself

cover for Andrassi. You knew what he was doing to those kids!

I did not. And I am not accountable to you.

No, you don't have to explain yourself to me, 'My Lord'.

But those children will grow up and they will want to know why you

have done nothing - nothing to protect them.

Show Doctor Allen out.

So, you had a question about Doctor Allen.

Well, he

came to me highly distressed.

Spoke of being followed.

Threatened.

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough at our last meeting, but

maybe there are...

more subtle methods

of bringing this situation to a satisfying conclusion.

Whatever methods are taken, it's best that you leave that to me.

You have discharged your duty by coming here.

This is now an administrative affair.

Don't concern yourself.

Doctor Allen has a family.

I'm only suggesting a gentler approach.

I hear your concern, Bishop.

But please, you need to trust us.

Yes?

The Education Subgroup's meeting tomorrow.

So fast? And complicated.

Ah, I've been given some... advice.

From who?

The Justice Minister wants to speak to you before we go ahead.

Forget it. I can do nothing

about this politically if I can't persuade my boss.

And I can't persuade him if you yourself don't tell him where these

documents came from.

You still there?

Alright, I'll meet your Minister.

But not at Parliament House.

Hello.

Bishop Quaid.

John Pantano. And, well, you know Margaret.

Look, thanks for bringing this to us.

I must say how deeply shocked I was. It's... it's devastating.

I understand the Church has

a process for dealing with such allegations?

Well, that report is the process.

Pay the unfortunates off and relocate the offending

priest to a new diocese. It's, ah...

Minister, our Church needs to heal herself of this sickness, and all I

would ask, suggest, is that there be some external pressure to help her

see the wisdom of that action.

Still, men's reputations are at stake.

Accusations of this sort are

easily levelled, but we need to get the facts right.

I don't see the facts could be any clearer.

That's an official church document.

We all want a strong Church, one that plays its

vital role as a moral force without scandal or compromise.

That's why it's crucial that we all come together, work together,

to find the best solution for this. Sorry I'm late, John.

It's OK, we haven't ordered yet. Good. Hello, Margaret.

Hello. Vince.

What are we drinking? Riesling. Good for you?

Sharing today? Hope you're hungry.

How is he? Oh, he's still asleep.

The kids are at Mum's so we can talk a bit more freely.

Look, I think the first thing we've got to do is get the Church

to admit the abuse occurred.

We're not calling it that, are we, Matt?

It's interference.

OK, well, whatever we call it, they've got to accept

responsibility for Father Andrassi and make sure that he gives himself

up to the police.

We can't let this happen to another child.

I'd also like to contact a lawyer.

Why do we need that? To get some unbiased advice. I...

I'm not sure we can trust the Church.

This is one priest's doing. You can't blame the whole church.

Look, Catherine, Andrassi must face charges.

We're agreed on that, yeah?

For both Peter and Elliot's sake.

I think we should talk to the Bishop, Tom.

He'll know what to do.

I am sorry. It was a bloody set up.

As soon as I contacted the Minister he rang John McNally!

Such backstabbing bastards!

Well, I can't help you anymore.

It's over.

Not if I name names under parliamentary privilege.

You do that, this institution will shut her vaults.

It'll bury everything.

Or I can make enough noise and force a Royal Commission.

Let's get John McNally and Neville and the rest of them up there on

the stand. Let's get them to answer what they knew and when -

It won't work!

Why? Because they will use the lax moral

Doctrine of Mental Reservation. They will lie.

The clergy can tell partial truths to outside authorities to

protect the Church, so long as the full truth is kept for God.

Oh, that's unbelievable. Ordination changes you, Margaret.

A man like Bishop McNally, that change is so profound,

they don't see themselves as being like other men.

They obey a higher office.

Now, there will be no reckoning. I'm sorry, Margaret.

I believe you changed when you became a priest, too.

You changed into the man for this moment.

Stand with me.

We can lift the lid on this.

Let's go public together.

Right.

Well, I will leave for the floor of the House

at 4:30 if you change your mind.

And I hope you do.

Some of you may already know that a much loved member of our school

community, Father Andrassi, has been called for an overseas sabbatical.

He has given tirelessly to the school in his time with us

and his pastoral care will be greatly missed.

I know that he would have liked to have been here to help us to

welcome Father Nguyen.

What's going on, gentlemen?

That will cease this instant.

That will cease. You!

Put that out!

You're a disgrace!

I was humiliated in front of the whole school. I have

no compunction in suspending your entire year level. I will do that!

That's cos you care more about a child molester than your students.

Kelly, you're out! You're gone.

You too, Allen. Expelled! Back to class, boys.

I haven't dismissed them! Come on, back to class now. Come on.

You're the disgrace. How dare you!

No, listen to what these boys are telling you.

You brought this on yourself.

We stand before these boys to guide them, as teachers.

We ask them to trust us, to believe in us, and then we

twist that belief and abuse that trust and we make it shameful.

We make ourselves shameful.

You should beg forgiveness for what you've done to them, as I will,

every day of my life.

Well, I'm glad you called me.

Just drop me off at Central.

I posted your bail. I've got to keep an eye on you.

Just take me to the fuckin' station.

Brendan, I don't care what the police say.

I don't care who Father Andrassi thinks he is. I believe you.

You can come home with me or get yourself to the station.

Do what you like. Just don't cause any more shit.

I'm only trying to help you.

Are they going to prosecute him? Certainly gonna try.

Gonna get in?

Come on, Vincent. Pick up.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Member for Sydney.

Mr Speaker,

as a devout Catholic, I have prayed about my actions today,

but I know what I must do.

A document has come into my possession.

It accounts for the endemic abuse

of children by Catholic clergy and the calculated protection

of these perpetrators by very upper layers of the Church.

Mr Speaker, please!

Now, these children came to the Church because others

said they were worthless. Quiet!

Mr Speaker, children who trusted a holy institution

that claims to uphold the very purest example of humanity.

When will these victims be heard, Mr Speaker?

When does their day for justice come?

Order! The member for... Well, I say today is

that day for justice.

That's enough! Sit down...

This isn't a you and me thing.

Just so you know.

Dad wants you here.

OK.

You want to let anyone know where you are?

Only prick who ever really cared about me was that priest.

How fucked up is that?

You know they're sending him overseas?

I know. It's shit.

Hello? Hi.

Turn the news on. Put the news on, David.

...Parliament today when Labor frontbencher Margaret

Wallace opened the lid on child sex abuse in the Catholic Church.

It accounts for the endemic abuse

of children by Catholic clergy. Are you watching?

And the calculated protection of these perpetrators...

Yeah.

...by very upper layers of the Church.

In a rowdy scene, Mrs Wallace was ejected from the Parliament after

she repeatedly refused to obey Speaker's orders.

The Justice Minister was quick to distance himself from the MP,

amid claims she suffers from clinical depression.

I'm not connecting her mental health with her poor judgement today,

but as Margaret Wallace has herself nominated for stress leave,

we will be supporting her and her family.

These are shocking claims but if it turns out mistakes have been

made then those responsible must be held accountable,

even if that means the very top.

It's believed at least 2,000 people were killed today when a democracy

march became a massacre in Burma's capital, Rangoon.

Forces loyal to socialist military leader Ne Win opened fire

on the demonstrators, which included many Buddhist monks. A spokesman...

The Holy Father believes Bishop McNally has brought

abasement to our Church.

A day ago you told me Rome approved of what he was doing.

The facts were cloudier then.

Vincent, we need to put together a proper response.

You agree with that, don't you? Yes.

And a shepherd is needed to guide us with this.

A man who has stood up for what is

right in this area, despite all the pressure from his superiors.

And for such a man as this, His Holiness can place a

name on top of the terna, a name like yours, should

the Holy Spirit move him to do so.

You can't be serious. We need you to be our

tower of strength, Vincent.

Haven't you always wanted to steer the Church in its proper direction?

You love your Church.

Show that love now.

Chart a new course for us. Lead us.

So you want me to push this into darkness? To cover this up?

No. We want you to protect the Church.

Honour your oath of fidelity.

We will handle these wayward priests. Trust us.

How can I trust this?

These empty promises?

You know the conference of Bishops would never appoint me.

We Australians like to believe we run our church, however...

Rome favours you, Vincent.

And Bishop McNally? Bishop McNally would move.

There are many dioceses that would benefit from

a man of John's intellect.

Alice Springs, Cooktown.

Port Moresby.

What do you say?

Take some time.

Think on it.

Drop this pride.

You know very well what God is calling you to do.

Responsibility, sacrifice, commitment.

The signs of being godly, not this narcissism.

But isn't what they ask of me narcissism, Stan?

It's ambition. I fear it.

What they want me to do, to be the face of this,

I'll be reviled inside and outside the Church.

I'll deserve that contempt. For God's sake, Vincent.

You do not matter. It's the Church that matters.

Just take the position.

But I don't want this. I didn't ask for it, Stan.

I'm not strong enough.

Was our Lord strong enough?

Trust him. He will give you strength.

Well played.

I thought you were too good for this,

too pure.

But this is a blacker game than I could ever have devised.

You did this to yourself.

You still think there's sides, don't you?

Good. Bad. Dark and light.

But there's only one Church.

What she gives, and what she takes.

You think I wanted these?

You think I asked for these men?

I did what had to be done.

They're priests. I had to help.

Come on, John. You were wrong.

Zealots like you might think I'm weak.

But could you look into the face of a man,

brother priest, deny him compassion?

Tell him he was going to jail?

I pray I'd know what to say.

Oh, well, there'll be no-one to answer that prayer. No-one at all.

You think this is a victory for your beliefs, don't you?

This is a palace coup.

You may last a couple of years but

then I'll be back, or someone like me.

Ohh!

These... These are all yours.

Take them. Take them.

They're your problem now.

Thanks for meeting me.

I wanted you to know that we did speak to someone

and got a fresh perspective.

Who? Brother Cosgrove.

And he was very helpful. He thinks that dragging it out into the open

isn't in Elliot's best interest.

Catherine... And Matt and I agree.

It's too traumatic.

So then what happens to Peter?

It's not the same. Why?

Why is it not the same?

Peter's dead.

Elliot has to live with this stain for the rest of his life.

I'm sorry. It's true.

Brother Cosgrove has arranged a meeting with the Bishop.

Matthew and I would like you to be there with us.

Does Elliot seem different?

How?

Does he?

Just listen to what Bishop McNally has to say.

They're not the enemy.

I'd like to start with a formal apology to the family.

A general statement of regret is legally appropriate.

What's this? Talking points, agreed by Rome.

Sadly, behaviour like Father Andrassi's applies in so many

areas of society today.

Other faiths are not immune.

We're confident that priests like Father Andrassi are the minority

and that this is probably already largely in the past.

Now, the Church is legally compelled to do nothing, yet

she opens her arms to begin the healing process with a generous

act of compensation. I don't want this.

Well, I'm afraid you have no choice, My Lord.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

my name is Father Neil Lenken.

On behalf of the Church and Bishop Quaid,

I would like to say how truly sorry we are for

the pain you are feeling, and the trust betrayed.

We know the feeling too.

We are also victims of Father Andrassi's sins.

Where's McNally?

He's been called away.

Bishop Quaid is here in his stead.

What does the Church intend to do about Father Andrassi?

Father Andrassi is currently overseas, but when he returns -

And when's that?

When his treatment is concluded. And when exactly is that?

I'm sorry, My Lord. Maybe this was a bad idea.

Nobody is unwelcome here.

My sincerest apologies to you for your loss, Mrs Kelly. I...

I cannot imagine your grief.

And to you, Mr and Mrs Darcy.

Is Elliot here today? No.

How is he?

You might wish to consider his changing schools.

There will be many unsettling memories

for the boy at St Venables.

We can discuss options.

One of our top colleges, perhaps.

What about my son? What school can he go to?

My door is always open to you, Mrs Kelly, to help you through

this in any way I can - I don't care about your door.

I want Andrassi in prison. He's a criminal.

We found in cases like these that the courts are neither an effective

solution nor ultimately healing.

Many traumatic questions will inevitably arise.

Why did the victims take so long to come forward?

Did they misinterpret... Hang on, Father.

Now we're not here to delve into those. We are here to heal.

I'll sue you then. Alice!

Mrs Kelly, the Church is not something you can sue.

We are not responsible for the conduct of our priests.

They are not employed by the Church.

Well, who is responsible then? Is it the Cardinal?

Is it... is it you, Bishop Quaid?

I suppose you could take legal

action against individual priests like Father Andrassi if you

believed you had grounds, but I must warn you, he's not wealthy...

That's enough, Father Lenken.

I want to help you.

You must believe me.

But there are obstacles. This will take some time.

Do you even know how old my son was?

I need you to trust your Church.

I'm doing the best I can.

Thirteen.

Speak to me, oh, Lord. Your servant is listening.

Fill me with spirit. Help me understand your holy plan for me.

Console my anxious soul.

Speak.

Speak!

Hello, parish house.

Hi, my name's David Allen.

I'm in Year 12 at St Venables.

Oh, OK. A bunch of us

wanted to say goodbye to Father Andrassi before he goes overseas.

Oh, no, dear.

Father's not going overseas.

He's having a break at a retreat house in the hills.

I can get you the address, if you like?

Um, yeah, his... his address'd be great.

Just a tick.

It's 9 Columbus Road, Pennant Hills.

9 Columbus Road, Pennant Hills.

Who was that?

He's in Sydney. They fuckin' lied to us.

Wait for Dad! Keep out of it!

Keep going.

Move!

Father Andrassi! Brendan!

Brendan!

'Brendan!'

No, please! Pull 'em down.

No, please! Your pants. Down!

Do it! Get 'em off. Off!

Brendan. Do it!

Come on, come on. Think about what you're doing. Come on, mate.

Don't chuck your life away.

For what? Just stay the fuck away!

Do it! I can't. I can't!

Are you scared? You fuckin' scared?

Please, Brendan. Brendan, please! I love you.

I love you.

Brendan. Brendan, come on.

Call an ambulance, for God's sake.

Come on, Brendan. Brendan.

Brendan, give me the gun. Give it to me.

Come on.

You were cleaning your gun and it went off. You're clumsy.

Say it. What?

"The gun went off when I was cleaning it. I am clumsy."

Nobody saw us.

It's my word against yours.

A filthy paedophile against a trusted doctor.

I... I was clumsy.

Did you make that? It's dumb.

I told them I'm probably not going to do my confirmation anyway.

Come here.

Hi.

Had some things left over from the Lenten appeal at school.

That's very kind, but we're fine, Brother.

Is Elliot around? I wouldn't mind saying a quick hello.

Elliot wants to make a fresh start, so he's decided to have nothing to

do with his old school.

It might be best if you don't come round again.

I'm sure you can understand.

Oh, of course.

God bless you, then. Give him my best.

We're late.

Hang on.

You OK, mate?

I can't be your confirmation sponsor.

I don't believe in God. I'm sorry.

That's OK.

I'll do it. But I wanted you to have this.

Mum gave it to me at my confirmation.

Thank you.

Your Mum would be very proud of you.

Come on, let's go inside.

Yes?

Bishop Quaid?

What are you doing here?

Well, it's my daughter's confirmation,

so I thought I'd come and offer my congratulations to you too.

Archbishop, isn't that right, in a few years?

Then Cardinal?

The Church doesn't have to go down this path.

It's better than this.

I feel you're a better man than this.

You don't know me.

Alice Kelly and I have spoken to a lawyer.

This is not over.

You have no idea what I'm up against. You cannot win.

Why don't you go, hmm?

Walk out of here.

You have before.

Not this time.

You see you're wrong. This is my Church.

And I'm gonna fight for it.

My dear children of God,

I now invite you to repeat your wish to be the strong and perfect

soldiers of Christ this sacrament of confirmation calls you to be.

Do you reject Satan?

I do.

And all his empty promises? I do.

Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth?

I do.

Therese, be sealed with the gift of salvation.

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Peace be with you. And with you.

Keep going.

Come on. Come on, slow poke.

Keep going. Come on.

OK, almost there. Keep going.

No peeking.

You ready? Yeah.

Congratulations.

Yay, Bridie.

Thank you. You're welcome.

Oh, they mentioned Peter, in the Prayers of the Faithful today.

Thank you for telling me that.

Cut the cake? Yeah, go for it. Wait, wait.

Actually, wait for everyone else. Do you want a lemonade?

Yes, please.

I'm sorry I couldn't be there today.

That's OK. You're here now.

Come on, make a wish. It's mine. It's my party.

What are you going to wish for?

Eyes closed. Dad!

Please just let me cut the cake.

Dad, come on. They won't let me cut the cake without you.

Just... just some of the icing.

Just anything. Thanks.

Hello, Father.

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