Rachel Evans
The 2022 movie Conclave, based on the 2016 novel of the same name, has sparked controversy and debate among Catholics. The film depicts a papal conclave, focusing on ideological and theological infighting among Catholic cardinals during the election of a new pope. It portrays the Church's hierarchy and the clergy in a negative light, perpetuating stereotypes about power struggles and scandals. Some Catholics view the film as blasphemous, misrepresenting Church teachings and undermining the credibility of the Church and the faith of its members. Others find it thought-provoking, sparking reflections on contemporary Catholicism and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church. The film has also been criticised for its portrayal of gender and sexuality within the Church, with some suggesting it is anti-Catholic propaganda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Portrayal of the clergy and Church's hierarchy | Negative and troubling |
| Impact on laity's trust in the clergy | Erosion of trust |
| Pope's gender | Male |
| Misrepresentation of the Church | Undermines the credibility of the Church |
| Misrepresentation of the papal election process | Undermines the sanctity and solemnity of the papal conclave |
| Anti-Catholic views | Yes |
| Cardinal appointments | Must be made public |
| Church teachings | Should not be changed |
| Sexual identity | Important for priestly formation and ordination |
| Canon law | Misrepresentation |
| Overall rating | Positive |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics feel that the film Conclave undermines the sanctity of the papal conclave
- The film's portrayal of the clergy and Church's hierarchy is troubling and perpetuates negative stereotypes
- Conclave is anti-Catholic propaganda and misrepresents Church teachings
- The film is blasphemous and mocks the Church
- Catholics are urged to boycott the film
Catholics feel that the film Conclave undermines the sanctity of the papal conclave
The film Conclave, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris, depicts a papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is elected. The story centres around the fictional, unnamed pope's death and the subsequent gathering of cardinals to elect a successor. One of the leading candidates for the papacy is Cardinal Lawrence, played by Ralph Fiennes. Another key character is Cardinal Vincent Benitez, the Archbishop of Kabul, who was secretly appointed to the position by the late pope and emerges as an unexpected favourite.
Catholics have taken issue with the film's portrayal of the conclave as a power struggle, with ideological and theological infighting among the cardinals. They believe that it misrepresents the true spirit that guides the election of a new pope and undermines the sanctity and solemnity of the process. The film has also been criticised for its portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy, perpetuating negative stereotypes and diminishing the positive contributions of many clergy members. Catholics also feel that the film gets canon law wrong, such as in the case of Benitez's secret appointment, which would be considered null and void if not publicly announced during the lifetime of the pope who made it.
Furthermore, the film has been accused of having an agenda and seeking to undermine the credibility of the Church and the faith of its members. Some Catholics feel that the film misrepresents Church teachings and risks causing scandal. The film's portrayal of gender and sexuality in the Church has also been a point of contention, with some finding it inflammatory rather than provocative. The film's director, Edward Berger, has responded to the criticism, stating that the film is not meant to be "a takedown of the Catholic Church" and that he tried to portray the characters as humans.
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The film's portrayal of the clergy and Church's hierarchy is troubling and perpetuates negative stereotypes
The film "Conclave" has sparked controversy among Catholics due to its portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy. The movie, inspired by the 2016 novel of the same name, has been accused of perpetuating negative stereotypes and misrepresenting Church teachings.
The film focuses on scandals and power struggles within the Church, overshadowing the positive contributions of many clergy members who serve with integrity and dedication. This negative portrayal can erode the laity's trust in the clergy and detract from the positive impact that priests and bishops have in their parishes and dioceses. As a practicing Catholic, one viewer expressed that the representation in the movie feels unfair and harmful, especially to the faithful members of the presbyterate and episcopate who dedicate their lives to serving the Church.
The movie's depiction of the papal election process has been criticized for undermining the sanctity and solemnity of the papal conclave. By dramatizing internal conflicts and portraying the Church as politically motivated, "Conclave" misleads audiences about the true spirit that guides the election of a new Pope. This misrepresentation of the conclave process has been described as blasphemous and anti-Catholic, seeking to undermine the credibility of the Church and the faith of its members.
Furthermore, "Conclave" has been accused of having an agenda and defaming the Catholic Church. The film portrays the hierarchy of the Church as a "hotbed of ambition, corruption, and desperate egotism," which is contrary to Catholic teachings. The movie also traffics in sordid secrets and sensationalist plot twists, contributing to a negative perception of the Church.
While some Catholics have strongly opposed the film, others have found it thought-provoking and a catalyst for reflection on contemporary issues within the Church. Some viewers trust that their fellow Catholics will recognize "Conclave" as fiction and harmless entertainment. However, there is a concern that films like this can shape how society views the Church and broader issues related to faith and morality. The impact of art and media in influencing cultural perceptions cannot be understated, and Catholics are encouraged to defend their beliefs and values by refusing to support such productions.
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Conclave is anti-Catholic propaganda and misrepresents Church teachings
The film "Conclave" has sparked intense debate among Catholics, with many expressing serious concerns about its portrayal of the Catholic Church. The movie has been labelled as anti-Catholic propaganda that misrepresents Church teachings and undermines the faith of its members.
One of the primary issues identified by critics is the film's misrepresentation of the papal election process. The movie depicts ideological and theological infighting among the cardinals, pitting traditionalists against those open to changes in doctrine, contrary to Catholic teachings. This dramatization of internal conflicts and the portrayal of the Church as politically motivated have been criticized for misleading audiences about the true spirit guiding the election of a new Pope.
Additionally, "Conclave" has been accused of perpetuating negative stereotypes about Church leaders and the clergy. The focus on scandals and power struggles overshadows the positive contributions and dedication of many priests and bishops, potentially eroding the laity's trust in the clergy. The film has been described as blasphemous and offensive to Catholics, with an agenda to undermine the credibility of the Church.
The film also addresses gender and sexuality within the Church, including the election of a pope with female chromosomes and an intersex disorder. While the filmmakers have stated that the movie is not intended as a "takedown of the Catholic Church," this aspect has been criticized by Catholics as contrary to Church teachings on sexuality and the priesthood, which reserves the priesthood exclusively for men.
Furthermore, "Conclave" has been criticized for its inaccurate portrayal of canon law. For example, the movie depicts a secret promotion of a cardinal, known as a nomination "in pectore," which would be considered null and void if not publicly announced during the lifetime of the pope who made it.
Overall, "Conclave" has been perceived by many Catholics as a misrepresentation of the Catholic Church and its teachings. While some have found it thought-provoking, others have urged Catholics to refrain from supporting the film due to its controversial and offensive nature.
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The film is blasphemous and mocks the Church
The film "Conclave" has sparked controversy among Catholics, with some calling it blasphemous and mocking of the Church. The film, based on the 2016 novel of the same name, depicts the papal conclave and the election of a new pope. It has been accused of misrepresenting the Church's teachings and values, perpetuating negative stereotypes, and undermining the credibility of the Church and the faith of its members.
One of the main concerns raised by Catholics is the film's portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy. The film depicts ideological and theological infighting among the cardinals, with more traditional cardinals pitted against those open to changes in doctrine, contrary to Catholic teaching. It has been argued that this portrayal overshadows the positive contributions of many clergy members who serve with integrity and dedication, potentially eroding the laity's trust in the clergy.
Additionally, the film has been criticized for its misrepresentation of the papal election process. By dramatizing internal conflicts and depicting the Church as politically motivated, "Conclave" misleads audiences about the true spirit that guides the election of a new pope. This undermines the sanctity and solemnity of the papal conclave, presenting a narrative that contradicts Catholic beliefs.
The film also includes a gender and sexuality twist, with the suggestion of a pope with a uterus, which has been seen as a direct contradiction to Church teachings. The Catholic Church's stance is that women cannot receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and that the priesthood is reserved exclusively for men. The film's portrayal of this topic has been viewed as absurd and ridiculous, causing scandal and misrepresenting the Church's teachings.
Furthermore, "Conclave" has been accused of having an anti-Catholic agenda. Bishop Robert Barron, Father Carter Griffin, and other Catholic leaders have urged Catholics to refrain from watching the film, stating that it checks every "woke" box and is a piece of anti-Catholic propaganda. They argue that the film aims to paint the Catholic Church in a negative light, exploiting its power to shape how society views the Church and broader issues related to faith and morality.
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Catholics are urged to boycott the film
One of the most contentious aspects of the film is its portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy. The film focuses on scandals and power struggles, perpetuating negative stereotypes about Church leaders. This portrayal, some argue, diminishes the positive contributions of many clergy members who serve with integrity and dedication. It also glosses over the Church's teachings on the papacy, including the exclusion of women from the priesthood, which is a fundamental aspect of Catholic doctrine.
The film has been described as "blasphemous" and accused of misrepresenting the papal election process, undermining the sanctity and solemnity of the conclave. It has also been criticised for its characterisation of cardinals, depicting them as driven by ambition, corruption, and egotism. These portrayals are seen as caricatures that do not accurately reflect the true spirit guiding the election of a new pope.
Bishop Robert Barron, the bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, has been particularly vocal in urging Catholics to boycott the film. He describes the film as "checking every woke box" and asserts that it could have been written by "the editorial board of the New York Times". Father Carter Griffin, the rector of St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington, D.C., has also spoken out against the film's depiction of a person with female chromosomes and an intersex disorder being selected as the pope.
While some Catholics have expressed concerns about the film's portrayal of the Church and its potential impact on public perception, others have found it thought-provoking and a catalyst for reflection on contemporary Catholicism. However, the consensus among those urging a boycott is that the film misrepresents and undermines the Catholic faith, and that Catholics should refuse to support such depictions of their beloved Church.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie Conclave has stirred up a lot of debate among Catholics. Many believe that the movie misrepresents Church teachings and risks scandalising the Catholic Church. Some Catholics have called it "blasphemous", urging others to boycott it. However, there are also Catholics who found the movie thought-provoking and fascinating, encouraging others to watch it and form their own opinions.
Catholics have expressed concerns about the movie's portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy, arguing that it perpetuates negative stereotypes and undermines the credibility of the Church. They believe that the movie focuses too much on scandals and power struggles, overshadowing the positive contributions of many clergy members. Additionally, they criticise the movie for misrepresenting the papal election process, depicting the Church as politically motivated, and exaggerating the progressive nature of some characters.
Catholic leaders, such as Bishop Robert Barron, have urged Catholics to stay away from the movie, calling it "anti-Catholic propaganda". Father Carter Griffin, the rector of St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington, D.C., has also criticised the movie for its portrayal of the selected pope as a person with female chromosomes and an intersex disorder.
The movie Conclave is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. It depicts the ideological and theological infighting among Catholic cardinals during the election of a new pope. The story centres around Cardinal Lawrence, who organises the conclave after the sudden death of a fictional pope. The movie portrays a power struggle between conservative and liberal cardinals, with the liberal Cardinal Benitez ultimately being elected as the new pope.
While the movie Conclave has been largely criticised by Catholics, some believe that it provides a revealing glimpse into the acknowledged might and majesty of the Catholic Church. It has also sparked thoughtful reflections on Catholicism, prompting conversations about the role of the Church in the modern world and the importance of steady, wise, and moral leadership within the Church.
