NotesFromPoland Hide Seek Sekielski
Title: Documentary on priestly paedophilia and cover-ups prompts swift response from Poland’s Catholic church
Author: Agnieszka Wądołowska
Publisher: Notes from Poland
Date: 16MAY2020
A new documentary on paedophilia in Poland’s Catholic church has been released today, drawing attention to how the issue has been covered up by the church hierarchy. It has already prompted a reaction from one of Poland’s most senior bishops, who has promised to invite the Vatican to investigate.
The film, Hide and Seek, is the second on this subject by filmmaker brothers Marek and Tomasz Sekielski. A year ago, they released Tell No One, in which a number of victims revealed the abuse they had faced as children and were filmed confronting their former abusers. It also showed how such cases had been swept under the carpet by the church.
The revelations provoked shock, anger and debate in Poland, a country where 90% of the population identify as Catholic and the church remains an influential institution. It also prompted an apology to victims from the head of the country’s Catholic episcopate, as well as promises from the church and politicians to tackle the problem more seriously.
Both films were financed entirely through crowdfunding, with the Sekielskis saying that this allowed them to exercise full editorial independence. They were first published on YouTube, with Tell No Onebeing viewed there over 23 million times, as well as later being broadcast on television.
For more information visit: https://notesfrompoland.com/2020/05/16/new-documentary-reveals-paedophilia-and-cover-ups-in-polands-catholic-church-prompting-swift-official-response/