Review of Deliver Us from Evil (1973) by Ryan H — 27 Jan 2008

One of the best and certainly the most eye-opening documentaries that I have come to watch. The content is disturbing and embarrassing for the Catholic Church. I give great credit for the people in this movie coming forward with their stories of sexual abuse by Father O'Grady and it is devastating to watch them and know that these experiences have held them back from being able to express who they really are as individuals.

The worst part is the Church hierarchy turning a blind eye to the acts of Father O'Grady and saying at one point that since on the instances of abuse was with a girl that it was "normal curiosity".

Father O'Grady tells his confession with little remorse for what he has done and it is chilling to see how calm he is on screen. This is an important movie and it is one that changed my opinion of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, not of their doctrine and beliefs but of their sheer lack for a sense of morality.

This is not a condemnation of the Church but of those responsible for allowing the abuse to continue. Tough one to hoe but I recommend seeing it.