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February 26, 2007Via E-Mail & U.S. Mail
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences
Attn: Communications Department
8949 Wilshire Boulevard, 5th Floor
Beverly Hills, California 90211-1972
Re: Pandora's Box of Clergy Sex Abuse Secrets
Dear Members of the Academy:
As an advocate for clergy sex abuse survivors and their families, this letter is being sent to thank you for assisting in opening Pandora's Box of clergy sex abuse crimes and secrets, by honoring "Deliver Us From Evil", by Amy Berg, as one of the five nominees for Best Documentary Film at last night's Academy Awards night.
Based on media reports, the Academy Awards dominated the TV landscape on Sunday. This is great news because millions of people viewed the Oscars ceremony. Believe it or not, there are BIG winners last night that were not just Oscar recipients. Victims of clergy sex abuse crimes, their families and those who believe that the protections of children must take the highest priority in our society, also joined the list of BIG winners. Afterall, it has taken years for voices of sex abuse victims to be heard and Pandora's Box of Sex Abuse Secrets, took on a new public awareness last night.
Unfortunately, political, government and religious influences have in actuality, aided and abetted the shielding of sexual predators based on misdirected freedom of religion laws. "Deliver Us From Evil" brought the message public for the first time, using personal stories of pedophile Oliver O'Grady's victims and families. The clergy sex abuse crisis is a "hot potato" in the world of politics and not a topic that is embraced for public debate. Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth", a worthy recipient of the Best Documentary Film; deals with a different type of political "hot potato", with a topic that is willingly embraced for public debate.
Thank you again for bringing the clergy sex abuse crisis to the next level of public awareness. There is still much work to accomplish to ensure that history never repeats itself, especially as it relates to society's failures to protect children from sexual predators. It is religious and government leaders, Pope Benedict, President Bush and others, that must now take responsibility for correcting the wrongs that have destroyed many lives. Let's hope both President Bush and Pope Benedict watched the Oscars last night maybe a new awareness will take the highest priority so that children will be safer in the future.
Best regards.
Debby Bodkin, Founder
http://www.catholics4justice.com
