Award-winning film details Catholic Church abuse cover-up

KINGSTON, R.I. –November, 10, 2010 –Five years after its initial U.S. broadcast on ShowTime, Holy Water-Gate, Abuse Cover-up in the Catholic Church, is being re-released and will be televised on multiple dates on The Documentary Channel, beginning the Sunday night of Thanksgiving weekend. (See schedule below).

The hour-long documentary was written, directed, and produced by Warren resident Mary Healey (Jamiel), assistant professor of communication studies/film media at the University of Rhode Island. Even though the film is a few years old, the comprehensive investigative documentary remains timely and relevant.

Motivated by abuse victims whose stories were being rejected and whose motive were being questioned, the independent filmmaker picked up her camera in 1999 and began filming.

One of the first images in Healey’s film is of her grandfather, Jim Healey, receiving a blessing from Father James Silva as one of the first ordained deacons in the Catholic Church in Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders were only learn years later that Silva, then pastor of St. Matthews Church in Cranston, was sexually abusing children. The Diocese of Providence transferred the priest to 12 different parishes during the next 16 years where the pattern of abuse continued.

Healey took her camera beyond Rhode Island, examining the scandal with interviews with victims, perpetrators, and church officials from Rome to Chicago.

The film will be shown on the Documentary Channel on the following dates and times:

Sunday, Nov. 28, 8 p.m. eastern time, 11 p.m., pacific

Mon, Dec 6, 9:30 p.m.

Tues. Dec 7, 12:30 a.m.

Thu. Dec 16, 6:30 p.m.

Fri, Dec 31, 2 a.m.

Tue, Jan 11, 6:30 p.m.

Sun, Jan 3, 9:30 p.m.

Mon, Jan 30, 9:30 p.m.

Mon, Jan 31, 2011 12:30 a.m.