It was a late addition to the agenda of the World Communications Day observance at the Marriott Hotel near the Brooklyn Bridge. It turned out to be one of the most interesting and newsworthy sessions.

At Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s insistence, a discussion of the sexual abuse crisis among clergy as depicted in the Academy Award winning film, “Spotlight,” took center stage. The bishop himself participated on the panel that was directed by Carolyn Erstad, the spokesperson for the diocese.

Joining the bishop were Michele Gallietta, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a member of the John Jay Report commissioned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to study the problem of sexual abuse by the clergy; David DiCerto, director of film at the Sheen Center in Manhattan; and Jasmine Salazar, coordinator of the diocesan Office of Victims Assistance Ministry.

Gallietta explained that the commission was charged with giving a proper accounting of the scope of the sexual abuse scandal in the Church. She said that the incidents of sexual abuse were probably underreported because of the nature of the crimes.

She said that the study concluded that 56 percent of those clergymen accused of sexual abuse had only one victim each, adding that 3.5 percent of the accused were responsible for about 26 percent of the incidents.

The takeaway message from the study, she said, was that this was a serious problem and that many people were injured.

Bishop DiMarzio, who was one of the episcopal advisers to the John Jay Study, said that the bishops cooperated with the commission’s work because they wanted it to be successful.

He said that one major result was a shift in bishops’ assisting victims rather than the perpetrators. All accusations are taken seriously and immediately reported to the civil authorities. Victims are offered counseling and therapy. Any charge that is deemed credible results in the immediate suspension of the priest from his clerical duties.

The bishop felt that the film did not portray the whole truth about the scandal. He said that the Church has learned a lot about sexual abuse since the scandal. He also felt that the Church is being judged for its actions at the time by insights that are only coming to light today.

DiCerto said that the movie had received positive reviews from the church media and that “it gives a voice to the shock and the pain of these crimes.” He called it one of the toughest films he has ever had to review, but also an important one.

He maintained however that the film seemed to blame the institution of the Church rather than the individuals who perpetrated the crimes.

Salazar said she hoped that the film would help get out the word about what the Church is doing today to assist victims.

Bishop DiMarzio called for more dialogue between the Church and the press about the problem of sexual abuse. He suggested that the Sheen Center might be the place for further discussion.

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Father Rosica, the day’s honoree, praised the work of the DeSales Media Group and called it a model for what should be happening in other church communications circles. He singled out Bishop DiMarzio for his vision in establishing DeSales and Msgr. Kieran Harrington for his leadership.

“Your creative works have crossed and united borders, cultures and generations and your cable channel… has a unique, contemporary mission on air and on line, always adapting itself to new audiences,” said Father Rosica.