What are your thoughts on this very personal story of one man and his family's confrontation with the church that betrayed them?

Dear FRONTLINE,

Though I was not raised Catholic, what struck me about this program was the utter arrogance of the priests and bishops who were, though not physically, just as abusive as Birmingham and the others. I was sexually abused throughout my childhood, and the arrogance,denial and cover-up that I saw in the Catholic hierarchy is as familiar to me as if I had been abused by Catholic priests myself.

I commend Joe for making the film, and Paul for his courage in telling the story. Abuse happens in silence; it happens when people in power are masterful enough in their manipulation to keep the story quiet so that their victims keep silent. Not all Catholic priests are perpetrators; but those who are, or have been, should be exposed, just as perpetrators outside the church need to be exposed for who they are and what they did to innocent children.

This is a story that needed to be told. It gives me courage to continue to tell my own story. Thanks to Joe and Paul, and to the producers of Frontline, for airing this remarkable film.

Gresham, OR

Dear FRONTLINE,

What a powerful film! Although I was familiar with the content in general - there has been a great deal of publicity about the sexual misconduct of priests - this film offered a different perspective. I was born in 1949, Italian-American, and attended Catholic schools in the Cleveland suburbs K - 12, and even a few years of college in Wash. D.C. Although as a female, I was not subjected to sexual abuse by priests, this film resonated with me. Thank you for your honest and courageous portrayal of such a difficult topic. Thank you also, for the artistic merit. Filming "personal narrative" is tricky - could have been quite boring. But, with the 16 mm film inserted, and altar boy statuary, running water, sister Maria's perspective, footage of the actual churches - all added to the authenticity and artistry of the film. We Tivo-ed it, and I plan on sharing it with my sister, brother and mother. Bravo for all of you! Thanks again.

Pepper Pike, Ohio

Dear FRONTLINE,

The incredible grace and dignity of the Cultrera family shone brightly all the way through this heartbreaking program. We are indebted to every family member for their willingness to share their feelings concerning the unimaginable events that unfolded in their lives over thirty years ago. I admire the parents who have allowed us into their home, a home like so many others, to feel, first hand, the bewildermend and the unspeakable disappointment at our Catholic Church's inability or unwillingness to stop this schandalous behavior years ago. One is left with the notion that the heirarchy to this day fails miserably to either understand how terribly wrong the behavior of some priests was, or what to do now to reassure the faithful that it truly looks after the flock and not for its own hide in the name of God. Finally, to Paul, I say I admire you for taking the huge risks you have withstood in coming forward. I hope in some small way it helps him to know that caring and loving people everywhere admire him and support his quest for the truth.

Peter Seaver
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Dear FRONTLINE,

This was perhaps the most moving documentary that I've ever seen. I found it extremely well done. I must comment on those who criticize the film and Frontline for its negative outlook on the Catholic Church and Faith. First of all, this is the true feelings and outlook of those directly involved, and they gave us their honest feelings which is their understandable right. Neither is it Frontline's responsibility to edit someone else's documentery in an effort to make it fair and balenced. Those aspects that deal with the Catholic Church's practices, hiearchy, etc. and how they have had negative effects on its members has been mentioned in many other places (e.g Angela's Ashes) and we (the public) are smart enough to know that these types of things don't govern every priest, parish, etc.; but we also are not in a state of denial about their existance as some in the Catholic Church seem to continue to be. I was raised a Catholic, but have found a great Church home at the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. I hope this family can find peace and restore their faith in Jesus Christ.

Denton, Nebraska

Dear FRONTLINE,

Why does everyone put such an emphasis on men like priests anyway? We should focus on Jesus alone, read the Bible ourselves and find Jesus in our own lives. Spend time with God daily. See how He works through us by letting Him do just that. He is the truth. This family is finding that very truth with the making of this documentary. Be bold. Growing a personal relationship with Him takes time, but the fruits of the Spirit are found in Him alone. Have faith; not in church property,in priests, or in family tradition, but in God.

Kissimmee, Florida

Dear FRONTLINE,

I must speak that while the film maker exposes very important issues that must be addressed and discussed publicly, this film paints the Church with too wide a brush. As others in the forum have said, the last half hour uses confusing imagery of Pope Benedict and descends into anti-Catholic and anti-religious rhetoric that everyone person in the church must have known this was going on and condoned it. This film stopped being a worthy documentary and confuses the very important message that individuals were unimaginably hurt and deserve answers from all those responsible so they can heal.

Cam Macdonell
Edmonton, Alberta

Dear FRONTLINE,

It occurred to me watching the Bishop re-enter the chancery after scolding the producer that he was alone, and sad, and angry. What a pathetic lonley figure he was. Was there anyone else in the Chancery? Or more likely was it empty and understaffed and underutilized by a shrinking church.

Thank you for an inspiring production.

Rich McNally
Valley Falls, New York

Dear FRONTLINE,

Hand of God was excellent. Thank you for your courage.As the wife of someone who was molested by a priest I sometimes wondered if our sense of humor regarding the subject was too bizarre. I loved that you used humor in this film - very comforting.

We haven't gone to church regularly for years now. We have viewed it as "taking a break". Last night I realized that break will most likely last a lifetime. How can we mourn leaving a church like this? But I do almost everyday. We have little children and I can't imagine not raising them catholic. But I know we need to keep on walking even though I doubt anyone will notice.

Orlando, Florida

Dear FRONTLINE,

My heart sank when I heard the name "Richard Lennon" as the priest who tried to stop the filming. Our new Bishop! How can there still be a priest alive exhibiting this level of arrogance? How can anyone not get it yet?Thank you for the courage to make this important film.

Cleveland, Ohio

Dear FRONTLINE,

The producer of this "Frontline" episode showed a great deal of cowardice in his filming outside of the Chancery office.First, he honors the request to turn off the camera. Then, after turning the camera back on, he engages in selective editting by cutting and pasting disjointed excerpts of the producer arguing with the bishop.Real documentarians would let the camera keep rolling to show exactly why the bishop characterized the producer as a "sick man." The producer could have been telling a dirty joke, for all we can tell, to which the bishop, quite rightly, would have called the producer a sick man. Unfortunately, we won't know that for certain. Now, this is not to belittle the scandal at the Boston Archdiocese, but editting slight-of-hand doesn't help your cause.And I can't help but wonder why the producer decided to juxtapose the closing of a parish with the sex scandal. After all, if the Catholic Church is as terrible as he seems to say, shouldn't the closing of Catholic parishes be exactly what the doctor ordered? He seems to operate with a split personality here.By the way, if there's no much faithfulness to the Catholic faith in Boston, why do Boston Catholics continue to vote for anti-life, anti-marriage politicians, most of whom claim to be Catholic? Perhaps the sex abuse of adolescent boys by homosexual priests isn't the only scandal in Boston Archdiocese.

Matthew Scallon
Chula Vista, CA

FRONTLINE's editors respond:

FRONTLINE asked filmmaker Joe Cultrera, via email, to respond to the first part of Matthew's question:

"The part I cut out is where I tell him all that my family has given. He replies with, 'You've given nothing, you're family has given nothing.' Then the film picks up with 'it's all in your head -- you're a sad little man.' ...

"We cut some stuff because the sound was really bad - camera microphone and wind noise. We weren't prepared for sound -- we were just shooting exteriors."

For more on the making of "Hand of God," read FRONTLINE's interview with Joe Cultrera, Laura Corwin and Hugh Walsh.

Dear FRONTLINE,

Among the many forceful clips included in "The Hand of God" is the one in which Anthony Laurano describes the ways in which a priest is set apart and above other men. I wonder how the producers happened to get this dated piece with such a damning sound bite. Did they luck onto some amateur's sound film clip, or was this dubbed? Thanks for the work and skill that went into "The Hand of God."

Long Island, New York

FRONTLINE's editors respond:

Fr. Laurano was stationed at the Cultreras' parish around the time Joe was in film school. Joe based the character of a priest in his senior thesis film on Laurano. The footage in "Hand of God" is from a 1983 social event which Joe happened to be filming, and it is Joe conducting the interview with Laurano.

Dear FRONTLINE,

While in no way do I condone what has happened, I am very troubled that the answer seems to revolve around civil lawsuits and the exchange of money.

It seems that anyone can come forward and claim abuse - many of these men are dead, the events happened twenty years ago or more, there is no way to defend oneself, and the church is accepting the word of so many of these purported victims without thorough reserach - leaving those of us who are devout catholics have to pay the price.

Your story complains that the local church had to close - as did dozens of others - yet it is the very scourge of paying out sums of money which causes so many dioceses to go bankrupt - which in many dioceses comes from the current parishioner and devout priest in the pew and in the rectory.

The bottom line is - a coverup was a terrible thing. I do not beleive that many of these bishops thought they were covering things up - in many cases, people did not complain at the time, when they did complain they did what they thought was right - and sent them for counseling - we did not understand the cycle of perpetrator then , like we do now.

It all goes back to money. If the only solution was to give these victims counseling - you would not have had so many complaints.

Please do not paint all priests with such a broad brush. Most are men of God who are as angered and hurt at this stain on their calling as you are.

I do feel sorry for anyone who was hurt. I feel more sorry that they cannot forgive and go on with thier life.

Kalamazoo, MI

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you Frontline for bringing this story to the masses. The pain and suffering caused by some priests and bishops has been public knowledge for many years. However this is the first time I've had a chance to hear directly from one of the victims and pay attention to their suffering and their family's anguish.

The Catholic Church is a powerful institution, with great tradition and history. However it's handling of the abuse cases in the US and other countries is shameful. It's a church in denial and the longer the denial goes on the weaker it becomes.

I no longer support the Catholic Church and doubt I will ever return to its fold. However I would encourage the faithful to speak out and clean the church of its sickness. Hiding pedophiles in the bureaucracy of the church is criminal and should no longer be tolerated.

Albert Mannion
Tampa, FL

Dear FRONTLINE,

Dear Frontline, This is a great piece of filmmaking! Way to go Paul for having the fortitude to bring your story to others, and to Joe for standing by your brother. I am a survivor of sexual abuse from my uncle(my father's brother) after my father died when I was seven. The abuse lasted for years and, like Paul, many of those memories have been locked away. Also like Paul, my life had no direction for years until in my mid-thirties I began to understand what had screwed me up so badly.

We must remember that this type of abuse was and still is rampant and does not only involve priests. I am a Catholic very involved in my parish. The acts of men will not ruin my faith. The act of God's son dying for my sins is the constant reminder that God loves us and is keeping a seat for us in His kingdom. There we will all be happy.

Cape Charles, Va.

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you for being brave and sharing your poignant story. I'm from St. Michael's parish in Lowell, MA where Birmingham abused neighborhood kids and friends.

I can't stop thinking about all the ruined lives, the hurt and shame, the betrayal, the evil he perpetrated on us. We knew he liked the boys more than us girls, but we had no idea of the level of depravity. We were just kids ourselves. It's too bad the slime ball died before being brought to justice.

St. John's Seminary should be burnt to the ground, and McCormack should be stripped of his power. They need to be held accountable.

Donna Sullivan
Huntington, WV