Since the 1990s at least fifteen Catholic bishops and one cardinal left their posts on being exposed for sexually abusing youths. None left the priesthood. Meanwhile, dozens of priests have been defrocked for moral crimes. Based on the book by Jason Berry and Gerald Renner, Vows of Silence is an anatomy of the Vatican's justice system, following the haunting saga of Father Marcial Maciel, who won the favor of Pope John Paul II despite years of pedophilia accusations. The greatest fundraiser of the modern church, Maciel founded the Legionaries of Christ, a religious order with a $650 million budget and history of controversial tactics. The film tracks 1998 abuse charges against Maciel filed with Cardinal Ratzinger. The Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, tries to abort the case. In 2004, with Pope John Paul II dying, Ratzinger takes action.

The film, which premiered at the New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival on April 14 (the day before Benedict XVI mades his first papal visit to America), is by New Orleans reporter Jason Berry, who is renowned for his pioneering reporting on the church crisis.

For more information, visit www.VowsofSilenceFilm.com

Tickets: $7 gen.; $5 CAC members

To purchase tickets: visit the CAC (900 Camp St.) from 11am-4pm; or call the CAC Box Office at 528-3800. On day of show, tickets can also be purchased in person from 11 a.m. to one-half hour after curtain.