WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Maumee Indoor Theater Pulls HBO Documentary on Priest Abuse

Maumee Indoor Theater Pulls HBO Documentary on Priest Abuse

MAUMEE -- A Toledo firefighter who is the subject of an HBO documentary called "Twist of Faith" is outraged after the city of Maumee decided not to show the Academy Award-nominated movie any longer. The Maumee Indoor Theater has pulled the film after just one showing to a sold-out audience. Tony Comes calls that a slap in the face to him and others who have been sexually abused by priests.

Toledo firefighter Tony Comes is grateful the city-owned Maumee Indoor Theatre agreed to premiere the HBO documentary "Twist of faith." It details the sexual abuse Comes suffered as a teen at the hands of Toledo Catholic priest Fr. Dennis Gray. "[Monday] night was a watershed moment," Comes said, saying the healing and dialogue had begun.

That's why he can't believe the city of Maumee decided to not extend the film's run past one day. "The manager's words were, 'The film will not be shown in the city of Maumee, because of the content.' I'm blown away, absolutely blown away," said Comes.

Claudia Vercelotti of SNAP, the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests, wonders if the Catholic Church put pressure on the theatre. "This is a Toledo, Maumee and northwest Ohio community-based story. We have a long history of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up in this diocese," said Vercelotti.

In a statement, Maumee City Administrator John Jezak said it was a business decision, and that HBO proposed a rate less than what the theater usually charges.  He also said in the statement that unequivocally the Toledo Diocese did not approach him about suppressing or limiting the run time of "Twist of Faith." The Diocese of Toledo echoed that denial, saying there was no involvement by the diocese.

Over the phone Tuesday, documentary director Kirby Dick said Jezak's assertion was untrue. In part, he said it was an absolute lie, and that there have never been any discussion in regards to money on the business end of it.

The film's distributor in Arizona told News 11 she was willing to pay any price within reason to get the film shown in Comes' hometown, and that the city had just not called her back. And when she called the theatre itself, a manager reportedly told her the film would not continue the run and that it was "too complicated to explain."

Comes said he was not able to find out how much revenue the Maumee Indoor Theatre pulls in on a daily basis when it runs the second and third run movies. Monday night was sold out with 500 people in the seats. And judging by the phone calls and e-mails, Comes says there are still hundreds of people who want to see it. News 11 asked city leaders about theatre's revenue, and they did not have that information.

Sources tell News 11 this is the first time the Maumee Indoor Theatre has ever pulled a movie from its run list.

Posted by AEB