The Bishops and Movies

Back when I was a teenager, I can remember greedily looking for the "C" (for CONDEMNED) movies on the list posted in the church vestibule. Not that I - a first child/A-student/"good girl" - would even know how to see one, much less dare to do it, but I always enjoyed seeing the titles of the supposedly hellish films.

Now I find myself looking at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Website for their list of good films to see. The Ten Best of 2007 list starts with this interesting comment, "Though on-screen violence, like sexuality, can often be gratuitous, 2007 saw a surfeit of major films in which it played a strong -- but dramatically essential -- part. Each of them was artistically outstanding and has already been widely honored by many of the awards competitions and in top-10 lists." Things have changed! No longer do you get only films like Song of Bernadette and Sound of Music. I actually like most of the films they recommend, although some are so hard to find that even I can't get hold of them. But take a look.

View from the Jewish side

Ever since the New Catholic Encyclopedia came out (in 15 volumes) in 2003, I have used it as a sort of general purpose encyclopedia of religion - looking up articles on Buddhist holidays, the differences between Lutheran synods, etc. Then last year the library got the latest edition of Encyclopaedia Judaica (in 22 volumes!), but I never thought to use it in the same way - until last week. My eyes are opening!

Just out of curiosity, I decided to look up "Church, Catholic" in the Jewish encyclopedia. It was a respectful article, but very painfully factual about centuries of the Church's mistrust, prejudice, hatred, and violence toward Jews. It ends with information about current attempts at apologies and reconciliation, but I was left feeling deep shame. This was a watershed moment in my personal education. I had always had a vague notion that the Catholic Church had not treated Jews well, but never knew the particulars. Once again, I realize how much I have left to learn! A lifetime is never enough for the important things.