By Louie Mani
Cebu City, Philippines
If there are cases of child abuse confessed in the confessional box, should it be reported?
In the film “Priest”, we see corruption in society. We see children arguing with the elderly, people engaging heavily in vices and ultimately losing the core values on love and compassion.
A 1994 British drama film marking the debut of director Antonia Bird, this film is about a young gay priest (Linus Roache as Fr.Greg) who stumbles upon a challenge to his faith. He encounters a girl who confessed at the confessional box about being molested by her own father. The priest paced back and forth trying to help without breaking the seal of confession.
Along the way, his secret relationship with a man gets exposed. Hence, the bishop asked him to leave the diocese. He held on to his faith and in the end, confronted the people and asked for forgiveness. The film crammed in the myriad of social issues we face in the world although it puts emphasis on particular issues that were relevant in the Irish society at that time.
These issues were treated as black and white, good or bad. One man in the field said, “It is written in the Bible in black and white”. This is quite problematic because this type of thought is barbaric and underdeveloped. I believe it is stuck in the “dark ages”.
Life is clearly not black and white. So how can we expect the faith that guides our moral conscience to be black and white as well? The first issue that we faced rang throughout the film. Father Matthew in the film asserted that the “vow of celibacy” is just a man-made rule while Fr. Greg reiterated that “Christ was celibate”.
Is celibacy there because it makes us strive to become Christ-like? Yes it is, but it is not the most necessary thing. “The New Testament regards celibacy as a calling, not a requirement.” (Carey, 2011) In the 12th century, it became mandatory when it had to do with inheritances. “The Church did not know how to deal with properties staying with the family of the clergy rather than with the church.” (Hooda, 2013) The film’s idea about this issue is that you cannot have both gifts of celibacy and vocation.
The use of the confessional box and the seal of confession are the second issues. In the film was a girl named Lisa who confessed to committing sexual acts with her father, not because of her free will but because her father wanted it. This point in the film showed dominance of the men. Father Greg was very certain himself at the start but became increasingly uncertain as the story progressed.
In this situation, he was caught between doing what he believes is right and following the rules. Canon 983.1 of the Code of Canon Law even strengthens the uncertainty. Father Greg could not do anything to protect the girl because reporting it or even talking to the mother about it would be considered a “crime” according to the rule. “A priest, therefore, cannot break the seal to save his own life, to protect his good name, to refute a false accusation, to save the life of another, to aid the course of justice (i.e., reporting a crime), or to avert public calamity. “ (Saunders, 2000)
This adds confusion to the situation. There has been ongoing debate in this matter. If there are cases of child abuse confessed in the confessional box, should it be reported? Ireland’s government in recent years have introduced a bill that makes it mandatory for priests to report such cases or else they get five (5) years imprisonment. But the spokesman for the Association of Catholic Priests, Father P.J. Madden insists that the seal of confession is “above and beyond all else”. (Kelly, 2011) Others argue that a bills such as this will not be able to guarantee good results. Criminals would less likely go to confession knowing that priests are required to report crimes to the police. (Kelly, 2011)
The third issue is inextricably linked to the culture of Irish society which is a conservative one as conveyed in the film. Homosexuality was one of the main ideas in the film though it was talked of less than celibacy. The reason people shunned Father Greg was arbitrary. Was it because he was homosexual or because he broke the vow of celibacy? It could be both because of the culture of conservatism and of religion in Irish society. “
The Irish have a dreadful habit of keeping about thirty years behind the times.” (Quinn, 1995) The Irish society is very conservative that emigration was part of its modernization process. (Hill and Lynch, n. a.) Religion is part of the historical pattern that formed the culture of in this society. Sacred symbols function to create the people’s ethos and world view. The role of religion is to be combined results of value and knowledge, moral and intellectual development. This represents the way the world is and the way it ought to be. (Macken, 1993) Starting 1960, priests were considered “something special”. (Girvin, 2008)
The priests being men show a patriarchal society and hence those in power in the church are men. The church was important in this society and some even favour the church over the state. Of course, this conservatism and tight grip of the church on the people were conditions years before. Today, Irish society is less conservative and more accepting of homosexuality.
With these hard-hitting issues, the film does not offer a clear solution to any of it. It takes more of an open-ended approach, allowing viewers to think of what can and should be done. “The Priest” does not only show the aspect of the lives of priests but also the society in general. Although the setting is in Ireland, the film reflects conditions and issues which span numerous societies today.
About the author: Louie Mani is a B.S. Biology student at the University of the Philippines Cebu College.
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