Glenn Kuhnel

Slaughter of the Innocents Glenn Kuhnel

The play "Doubt" is about suspicion whether a Catholic priest could be capable of sexual misconduct with a minor. The film "Spotlight" introduced the widespread coverup of sexual abuse by clergy. There have been countless disclosures of the sexual violation of children by priests and continued revelations of clergy betrayal and abuse worldwide. Making these accounts even more shocking and appalling are the attempts by church leaders to hide and excuse these crimes. It seems that every week new reports of such conduct are reported. Slaughter of the Innocents deals with the psyche of a bishop intent on covering up a scandal to protect the Church. It is a story of secrecy and attempts to dismiss and discredit victims to suppress the truth. "Slaughter of the Innocents" is about a mother's grief that uncovers the horrible truth behind her son's suicide; a priest faced with obedience to a Church he no longer has faith in; and a bishop intent on defending his church, no matter what. Finally, in an effort to bring some sense of justice, the victims and their protectors use a forgotten medieval rite to chastise corrupt clergy to deal with the lies and deception of the bishop.