Catholic in Film School

A few weeks ago, I was visiting with my Protestant “non-denominational” side of the family when the 80s mini-series “The Thorn Birds” came on television. 

This mini series covers 60 years in the lives of the Cleary family, brought from New Zealand to Australia to run their aunt Mary Carson’s ranch. The story centers on their daughter, Meggie, and her love for the family’s priest Father Ralph de Bricassart. Meggie tries to forget Ralph by marrying dashing stockman Luke O’Neill, but she and Ralph are soon reunited, with tragic consequences for them both.

Not knowing anything about the series, I had actually watched some of the first part the night before I drove to their house. I found the episode to be boring, but watched it anyway because I wanted to see how the priest character Fr. Ralph would be portrayed.  There was nothing wrong with the bit that I watched, but the following evening in my aunt’s home I was shocked by a love scene between Fr. Ralph and Meggie….and then I was slightly embarrassed when my cousins asked me, “Can a priest be excommunicated for having sex with a woman?”

Oy vey.

In my study/obsession with films of all nature, but specifically those with an heir of Catholicism, I’ve noticed some repetitive patterns in the representation of Catholic clergy on film.

1. The Jolly Priest, ex: Friar John from “The Robin Hood”
2. The Old Creeper Priest, ex: “The X Files: I Want to Believe”
3. The Epic Priest, ex: Medieval films
4. The Secular Priest, ex: “The Exorcist” (1976)
5. The Non-Catholic Priest aka “Fr. Morals & Values”, ex: “Doubt” 

The “Jolly Priest” is just a fun, one-dimensional character that gives one-liners and the occasional dopey, yet still fatherly advice. The “Old Creeper Priest” is usually found in thrillers like The X Files, and is placed to further exaggerate the general freaky deakyness of the film. Despite the positive portrayal, the “Epic Priest” also tends to be one-dimensional. The “Secular Priest” and what I would deem the “Non-Catholic” priest character presents a set of unique problems, because there is nothing discernibly ”Catholic” about either of these characters. (I’ll talk more about this later in the week.)

As I was explaining to a Protestant colleague at Origin some time ago, the church is in a post-apocalyptic/post-9/11 era due to the sex abuse scandal (that has not ceased in some parts of the world.) I would argue that the figure of the diocesan priest is as much the face of the American Catholic church as the Holy Father, if not more so. Negative stereotypes are bad for everyone, but when films stereotype Catholic clergy they create division and disharmony not only between the Church and the secular world, but within the Church as well between the laity and the clergy.

Imagine for a second, an agnostic teenager who has never had a conversation with a priest beyond a, “Good morning, Father” on Sundays after mass even though he’s been going to church his entire life. If that teenager sees the despicable film “Quills” for example, what is he supposed to think about the Church and the call to the priesthood? Not much, in my estimation.

Tomorrow’s topic: the “Jolly Priest,” and why I don’t think he’s all that great…despite his jolly demeanor.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.