Catholica Bookstore

Bestselling Catholic Books on Amazon.com

Catholic Documentary

Any opinions about the documentary "Deliver us From Evil"?

I have discussed this documentary with several friends but they are not catholics, so I would like some comments specially from catholics.

I hadn't seen this documentary, but in response to your question I decided to watch it and form an opinion.
I am a well-educated Catholic with a degree in Counseling, and I have worked with a wide variety of sexual assault victims, though not specifically focusing on victims of clergy.
First I must point out that the Roman Catholic Church is in no way unique. The same abuse and covering-up has been, and is, practiced in other religious groups as well as schools and other institutions serving children. I have talked to a number of victims of Protestant clergy, and of teachers. I recall back in the 1970s it was the common attitude, that sex offenders could be treated so that they would not offend again. This applied to fathers who molested their own children, as well as to clergy and teachers. This was in the professional arena, not just the churches, which tended to defer to the therapists in the matter of psychology. I do recall that t
Now, as to "Deliver Us From Evil." I found it very interesting, and it aired a variety of opinions and points of view. It was fascinating to listen to the interviews of Oliver O'Grady. Now, it is impossible to know how much he told the truth [as he sees it] or whether he was lying. However, I tend to think he was doing his best to explain himself and respond appropriately, but simply lacks some aspects of conscience and empathy. I have talked to other child molesters and read some of their interviews, and I think this is often the case. I am not saying this to say that he was not responsible; but then, I do think he is psychologically abnormal. A normal person may be tempted to have illicit sex with another adult or even with an older teen, but not with a pre-pubescent child.
Although the Church's response was not different from other institutions faced with the same problem, it was still reprehensible. One would think that the Church, which is supposed to have some insight into sin and guilt, virtue and innocence, ought to be able to have some insight into the condition of its clergy's souls.
I do not agree that the celibate priesthood is the cause of pedophilia in the Church. If these pedophiles were married and had children, they would be molesting their own children. [I'm not against married clergy, in fact; I think it would be fine. But I definitely don't think it would prevent or cure child abuse.]
I am inclined to think that child sexual abuse is the "sin against the Holy Spirit" mentioned in Mark 3:29, the sin which is unforgivable because it is an eternal sin. By abusing the spiritual authority of the Church in order to exploit children, these priests drive people away from the Church, away from God---they cause incalculable harm.
I am in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. I know that my parish Pastor was so outraged by Cardinal Roger Mahoney's protection of the child molesters, that he does not allow any of the Parish funds to be put under the control of the Archdiocese, although of course the Parishes normally do support the Diocese. He doesn't make a lot of noise about it, but comes up now and then. He recommends that parishioners donate to causes whose finances are not under the control of the Archdiocese, such as "Together In Mission," which supports poor churches within the Archdiocese. The reason is, that the Archdiocese, under "Roger," has to pay out huge amounts to abuse victims. And do you think Roger himself is paying, or the other pedophiles? Uh-uh. He is taking the money from Church community services. Nuns have been evicted from their convents, so the Archdiocese could sell the property to pay for its crimes. So, I feel good about my Parish and I'm proud of my priest.
If you want to ask me anything else, feel free to email me.

	Yoga Prayer List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $17.98 Used From: $17.00
	YOGA PRAYER - DVD Movie

	New American Bible: Complete New and Old Testaments List Price: $29.95 Sale Price: $7.99 Used From: $7.98
	Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 08/28/2007

	Film-Fest DVD - Issue 2 - Cannes List Price: $14.95 Sale Price: $98.99 Used From: $8.73
	Get into issue 2 of FILM-FEST DVD magazine and you'll be whisked away to the south of France for all the glitz and glamour from the most famous festival in the world, the Cannes Festival International du Film...

	The Exciting Conversion Story of Scott Hahn Used From: $25.00
	The conversion story of Dr. Scott Hahn is fast becoming legendary. Like other famous converts from Augustine to Newman, Hahn is inspiring people to appreciate the Catholic Faith through his incredible conversion...

	Great Souls: Mother Teresa Sale Price: $1.99

Catholic Christianity $17.95 For the first time in 400 years the Catholic Church has authorized an official universal catechism which instantly became an international best-seller, the Catechism of the Catholic Church . Using this official Catechism, the highly-regarded author and professor Peter Kreeft presents a complete compendium of all the major beliefs of Catholicism written in his readable and concise style. Since the Catechism of the Catholic Church was written for the express purpose of grounding and fostering catechisms based on it for local needs and ordinary readers, Kreeft does just that, offering a thorough summary of Catholic doctrine, morality, and worship in a popular format with less technical language. He presents a systematic, organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental Catholic teachings in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church's Tradition. This book is the most thorough, complete and popular catechetical summary of Catholic belief in print that is based on the universal Catechism. "In Catholic Christianity , Peter Kreeft has taken the core of the Catechism's teaching and has represented it in his pithy and winning style. The result is the best entree to the Catechism yet-and therefore the best entree to the Catholic faith." "Karl Keating Author, What Catholics Really Believe "Peter Kreeft's work is: 1) unfailingly brilliant 2) intellectually agile 3) astonishingly perspicacious 4) gloriously orthodox 5) Chestertonian-ly aphoristic. Buy and read this book, and be instructed and delighted." "Thomas Howard Author, On Being Catholic "As an apologist who speaks at many seminars and conferences across the country I am often asked what book I would recommend for an adult catechetics class. I always find myself recommending three our four books rather than one. No longer. This is the ONE book I've been looking for! Dr. Kreeft gives a summation of our Catholic Faith based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church that is filled with bite-sized morsels of truth and producing a veritable feast of faith!" "Tim Staples Radio Host and Apologist Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., a Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is a regular contributor to several Catholic publications, and is the best-selling author of over 25 books including Prayer for Beginners, Back to Virtue, A Refutation of Moral Relativism, Heaven the Heart's Deepest Longing, and Fundamentals of the Faith . '

The Courage to Be Catholic $15.95 Bestselling author George Weigel (Witness to Hope: A Biography of John Paul II) argues that the path to genuine Catholic reform does not lie in accommodating the truth to the spirit of the age, but in a renewed commitment to living the fullness of the Catholic faith. Weigel situates the current crisis of sexual abuse and episcopal malfeasance in the context of recent Catholic history. With unflinching honesty, he analyzes the Church's failure to embrace the great spiritual promise of Vatican II, resulting in the steady surrender to liberal culture. Weigel exposes the patterns of dissent entrenched in seminaries, among priests, and the bishops who failed their flocks. He then gives a solid agenda for true reform and holiness.

On Being Catholic $14.95 In his first full-length book since converting to Roman Catholicism over ten years ago, Thomas Howard presents his wonderful, refreshing insights on the "glad tidings" of the deeper meaning of Catholic piety, dogma, spirituality, vision and practice, rendered in his unique style of prose for which he is well-known. The book's chapters take the form of lay meditations on Catholic teaching and practice, opening up in practical and simple terms the richness at work in virtually every detail of Catholic prayer, piety, liturgy and experience. "Tom Howard has done it again. With gentle and compelling wisdom, he shows the Catholic faith for what it is, the grandeur of the biblical gospel and a reflection of the immensity of God's wisdom and grace. On Being Catholic is an apologetic and literary gem." "Scott Hahn, Ph.D. "Would it be brash to say that Thomas Howard is an American counterpart of C.S. Lewis? I think not. Thomas Howard's intelligent, literate and erudite approach to the experience of faith and all of the challenges that faith brings will be enlightening to anyone who takes the Gospel seriously." "Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. "Written with the realistic intelligence of a living faith, this book is a refreshing and renewing document. A beautiful book of great relevance and lasting value . . . so truly Catholic it makes one rejoice greatly." " Most Rev. Christoph Sch...nborn "I heartily recommend this inspiring and insightful presentation on being Catholic, particularly as it centers on the Mass. Howard not only captures the substance of each stage in the Eucharistic liturgy, but ties it effectively to heavenly worship with words that sing of beauty in worship. The whole presentation of Catholic belief is set in a striking and inspiring contrast with the bleakness of contemporary culture." " Rev. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R. Thomas Howard , a Professor of English at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Mass., is the author of numerous books on various Christian themes including Chance or the Dance? and Hallowed Be This House . '

Christian Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition $19.95 A complete overview and history of Catholic spirituality from the Apostles to the present day. Aumann's excellent and interesting survey of the many spiritual traditions in the Catholic Church shows the wonderful variety of saints and spiritualities that are part of our rich Catholic heritage. '

The Joy of Being a Catholic Child $1.5 Explains for children the blessed and unique gifts of their Catholic Faith. Illustrated in full color.

	Catholic Social Thought: The Documentary Heritage List Price: $30.00 Sale Price: $14.99 Used From: $4.50

	American Catholic History: A Documentary Reader List Price: $25.00 Sale Price: $21.27 Used From: $13.25
	Catholics were among the early Spanish explorers to the "New World," and they have a long and rich history in the United States. By taking account of significant letters, diaries, theological reflections, and other primary documents, we can listen to the voices of what real Catholics in this country have thought, believed, feared, and dreamed...