Grace Thompson
The movie Conclave has sparked controversy among Catholics, with some arguing that it misrepresents the Church and its values. The film, inspired by the 2016 novel of the same name, centres on the papal election process and the internal conflicts within the Church. Some Catholics find the movie offensive and blasphemous, believing it undermines the sanctity of the papal conclave and spreads confusion about the Church. Others defend it as a thought-provoking dialogue about the contemporary Church, handling sensitive issues with grace. With a talented cast and visually engaging cinematography, Conclave has received several award nominations. However, critics argue that it perpetuates negative stereotypes, traffics in sordid secrets, and simplifies the complexities of the Catholic Church. Should Catholics see Conclave? The answer may lie in each individual's decision to engage with and interpret the film through their own lens of faith and perception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Portrayal of the Church | Negative |
| Portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy | Negative |
| Portrayal of the papal election process | Misleading |
| Depiction of the Church as politically motivated | Misleading |
| Depiction of the gender of the Pope | Misleading |
| Depiction of the priesthood | Misleading |
| Depiction of scandals and power struggles | Negative |
| Depiction of the Church's inner workings | Misleading |
| Depiction of conclave procedures | Misleading |
| Depiction of campaigning | Misleading |
| Quality of the film | Poor |
| Nature of the content | Offensive |
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What You'll Learn
The movie's portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy
The movie "Conclave" has sparked controversy among Catholics due to its portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy. The film, inspired by the 2016 novel of the same name, has been accused of misrepresenting the papal election process and undermining the sanctity and solemnity of the papal conclave.
In the movie, the death of a fictional pope sets the stage for a power struggle among a trio of leading candidates for the papacy, including Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes), Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), and Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto). The film depicts internal conflicts and political motivations within the Church, which some viewers argue distorts the true spirit of the papal election process guided by the Holy Ghost.
One of the most contentious aspects of the film is its introduction of an intersex character, Cardinal Benitez (also played by Tucci), who becomes Pope. This has led to discussions about the Church's stance on the priesthood being reserved exclusively for men, as rooted in Divine Revelation. The movie's handling of this topic has been criticised by some Catholics as misleading and obscuring the Church's clear teachings.
The portrayal of scandals and power struggles in "Conclave" has also been criticised for perpetuating negative stereotypes about Church leaders. Some viewers feel that the film unfairly diminishes the positive contributions and dedication of many clergy members. This negative portrayal has the potential to erode trust in the clergy and detract from the positive impact of priests and bishops in their parishes and dioceses.
While some Catholics find the movie offensive and blasphemous, others have a different view. Some Catholic viewers acknowledge the film's sensitive handling of certain issues and its engaging portrayal of the Church's future and internal politics. Additionally, some Catholics defend the movie as just fiction and harmless entertainment, encouraging others to make their own decisions about watching it.
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The film's depiction of the papal election process
The film "Conclave" offers a glimpse into the secretive world of the Vatican and the process of choosing a new pope. The story centres on Ralph Fiennes' Cardinal Lawrence, who, as the dean of the College of Cardinals, is tasked with leading a papal election after the death of the fictional pope in the film.
The film depicts the conclave as a highly secretive and private process, taking place entirely behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel, which is accurate according to Prof. Anna Rowlands of the University of Durham. The film shows the cardinals discussing the Catholic Church's priorities in meetings called "general congregations" before the conclave, which is also factually correct. The balloting process in the film is largely accurate, with electors voting by secret ballot, walking up to a chalice, saying a prayer, and dropping their ballots inside. The ballots are burned after each round, producing black or white smoke to indicate whether a pope has been chosen.
However, some have criticised the film for misrepresenting the papal election process and undermining its sanctity. B. Kevin Brown, a lecturer in religious studies, notes that some of Cardinal Lawrence's decisions as dean would not be permissible in a real-life conclave. The film also portrays internal conflicts and depicts the Church as politically motivated, which may mislead audiences about the true spirit guiding the election. Additionally, the film gets some details wrong, such as the absence of an altar during the Mass before the conclave and incorrect attire for some cardinals.
Despite these inaccuracies, the film has been praised by some for its thoughtful and respectful portrayal of the papal election process. Mark Kermode highlighted the film's ability to create suspense and intrigue without resorting to sensationalism. Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair commended the film for capturing "both the seriousness of [the conclave] process and the campy ridiculousness of it".
Overall, while "Conclave" takes some artistic liberties and contains inaccuracies, it does provide a glimpse into the secretive world of the papal election process, shedding light on a highly private and rarely seen aspect of the Catholic Church.
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The agenda of the film
The film "Conclave" is a political thriller that takes viewers inside the Vatican during the College of Cardinals' process of selecting a new Pope. The film centres on Ralph Fiennes' Cardinal Lawrence, who, as the dean of the college of cardinals, is tasked with organising the conclave and guiding the group to a consensus pick. The film explores the complex web of secrecy and hidden agendas of those vying for the papacy, testing Cardinal Lawrence's faith and moral compass.
The film has been criticised by some Catholics for its portrayal of the Church and its clergy. Some believe that the film misrepresents the papal election process and undermines the sanctity and solemnity of the papal conclave by dramatising internal conflicts and depicting the Church as politically motivated. The film has also been accused of misrepresenting the teachings of the Church on the papacy and priesthood, reserved for men, by introducing an intersex cardinal character who becomes Pope.
The film has also been criticised for its portrayal of scandals and power struggles, perpetuating negative stereotypes about Church leaders. The focus on these elements has been said to diminish the positive contributions of many clergy who serve with integrity and dedication. Additionally, the film has been accused of having an ideological agenda, with some claiming that it elevates the pieties of the current zeitgeist over eternal truths.
However, others have praised the film for its acting, intrigue, dialogue, and cinematography, and for providing a glimpse into the inner workings of the Church. Some have also defended the film against claims of bias or an anti-Catholic agenda, arguing that art and film should be able to criticise and explore different viewpoints.
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The film's impact on perceptions of the Church
The film "Conclave" has stirred up a lot of debate among Catholics, with some finding it offensive and blasphemous, while others appreciate its engagement with contemporary issues. The movie's portrayal of the Church and its internal workings has been a significant point of contention.
On the one hand, some viewers feel that the film misrepresents the Church and undermines its credibility. They argue that the movie distorts the truth by focusing on scandals, power struggles, and internal conflicts, perpetuating negative stereotypes about Church leaders. This portrayal, they believe, erodes trust in the clergy and detracts from the positive contributions of many priests and bishops. The film's depiction of the papal election process and its deviation from Catholic doctrine, including the introduction of an intersex Pope character, have been particularly controversial. These depictions are seen as misleading and offensive to Catholic values and beliefs.
On the other hand, some Catholics have found the film thought-provoking and engaging. They appreciate the film's exploration of contemporary issues and its portrayal of the Church's inner workings, even if they do not agree with all its interpretations. Some viewers defend the film's handling of sensitive issues, arguing that it does not have an anti-Catholic agenda and that art and film should be allowed to critically engage with religion. They argue that being open to criticism and dialogue is a sign of a strong religion.
Ultimately, the film's impact on individual perceptions will vary. Some Catholics may choose to boycott the film as a statement against what they see as Hollywood's anti-Catholic bias and its negative portrayal of the Church. Others may engage with the film critically, using it as an opportunity to discuss and defend their faith. The film's popularity and nominations at the Academy Awards indicate that it has captured the attention of many, and its impact on the broader public's perception of the Church is likely to be significant, even if indirectly.
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The film's accuracy and bias
The film "Conclave" has sparked a lot of debate among Catholics, with some finding it offensive and blasphemous, while others appreciate its engagement with contemporary issues. The movie centres on the election of a new Pope, following the death of the previous one. It features an all-male priesthood, which is a core teaching of the Catholic Church, with the addition of an intersex character, Cardinal Benitez, who becomes Pope. This has been seen by some as an attempt to obscure the Church's clear teachings on the papacy and priesthood being reserved for men. The film also focuses on scandals and power struggles, which some viewers feel perpetuates negative stereotypes about Church leaders.
The movie has been accused of misrepresenting the papal election process, dramatising internal conflicts, and depicting the Church as politically motivated. It has been criticised for its inaccuracy, with some pointing out that the campaigning depicted in the film is highly unrealistic. The film also gets canon law wrong, as promotions made "in pectore" are null and void if not publicly announced during the Pope's lifetime. The portrayal of the clergy and the Church's hierarchy has been deemed "deeply troubling" by some, who feel it undermines the positive contributions of many clergy members.
On the other hand, some viewers appreciate the film's engagement with contemporary issues and its portrayal of the inner workings of the Church. They acknowledge that art can influence cultural perceptions, but argue that being open to criticism is a sign of a strong religion. Some defend the film's handling of intersexuality, stating that it is separate from gender ideology and is not an LGBT issue.
Overall, the film's accuracy and bias have been questioned by many Catholics, who feel it misrepresents their faith and undermines the Church's teachings. However, there are also those who find value in the film's exploration of complex issues and its attempt to shed light on the election process, even if it takes certain creative liberties.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie Conclave is about a papal conclave, where a hundred cardinals are locked together in a convent, and only one will be elected pope. The movie focuses on scandals and power struggles, perpetuating negative stereotypes about Church leaders.
The movie Conclave has been criticised for its misrepresentation of the Catholic Church and its teachings. It has been called blasphemous, anti-Catholic propaganda that seeks to undermine the credibility of the Church. The movie also misrepresents the papal election process and introduces an intersex pope character, which goes against the Church's teaching that the priesthood is reserved exclusively for men.
The reviews for the movie Conclave are mixed. While some critics have praised the performances of the cast and the cinematography, others have called the movie "badly written, poorly researched, and half-baked." Some Catholics have found the movie offensive and disturbing, while others have found it fascinating and thought-provoking. The movie has also been nominated for several awards, including Best Picture.
There is no definitive answer to this question. Some Catholics may choose to watch the movie out of curiosity or to form their own opinions. Others may choose to avoid the movie due to its controversial content and negative portrayal of the Catholic Church. Ultimately, it is a personal decision for each Catholic to make.
