Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)

Silence (2002)

Eric Stoltz: Michael Sweeney

Quotes 

• [Father Michael knows of a priest who molested young boys, but cannot reveal his name] 

  Father Michael Sweeney : What about my vows?

  Elliot Stabler : What about the children?

• Father Michael Sweeney : I have to protect the penitent.

  Elliot Stabler : And what of the faithful, Father? Who protects us?

• Bishop Mallinson : [Father Michael revealed the Bishop's confession to Detective Stabler]  Do you know what you've done? You'll be expelled from the Priesthood. You'll be cast out of the church, barred from the sacraments. You're risking your soul.

  Father Michael Sweeney : I believe I'm saving it.

• Elliot Stabler : [after Father Michael is released from jail]  Bobby Douglas was placed in a cell with a lifer. His name is Dale Farrelly. Bobby kept trying to tell Dale how much Jesus loved him till Dale stopped him by stabbing him 57 times with a homemade shiv. This is the interesting part though, Father. Bobby had no defensive wounds on him. He had no cuts on his arms and his hands. He never even tried to put up his arms to protect himself. That boy'd given up. Now maybe you think he deserved it because he killed that kid and he burned your church.

  Father Michael Sweeney : No. No. Bobby was a victim.

  Elliot Stabler : Yeah. Whose victim? Come on, Father, you and me, no badge...

  Father Michael Sweeney : What do you want me to tell you?

  Elliot Stabler : No collar. Come on. Bobby's dead! You're free as a bird. Be a man, confess to me!

• Elliot Stabler : [to Father Michael]  You priests, you got it all figured out, don't you? You confess to each other. You forgive each other and you go right on sinning.

  Father Michael Sweeney : I'm sorry.

  Elliot Stabler : Go to hell.