There it was again. The cool sting of rejection, like an unexpected slap across the face.
I’d just met with a potential financier for a documentary film I’ve been working on with my sister, and after he viewed the product of our eight months of hard labor, he had brushed it off with a few words.
‘I don’t know how to say this... it’s just not what we’re looking for.’
An edit room never felt so cold. I looked at the hundreds of soundbites on my Final Cut timeline scornfully, for not proving they were worth their salt. And down at my hands, for the same. My sister and I are both from America the land of can do -- in Ireland it’s can’t do it seems--especially where the church is concerned.
The film is about the life and death of an Irish missionary priest who was murdered less than a year ago in Africa. It’s not finished; the purpose of the meeting was to determine whether this representative of a film funding program was interested enough in the story to send me to abroad to investigate the brutal circumstances of the priest’s death.
He added, ‘He does sound like a good man, who did good things, and it is interesting... I just don’t know if anybody who doesn’t support the Catholic church would be interested in seeing it.’
Translation: Nobody in Ireland wants to hear anything positive about the Catholic church nowadays.
Yes, members of the Catholic church have committed horrendous deeds. Yes. Between priests abusing youngsters, their clergy brothers covering it up for decades, and now, the Pope’s rejection of the resignations of two bishops who served when all of this was occurring, for obvious reasons, nobody is a fan of the Catholic church lately. Absolutely understandable.
But not all Catholic priests are child molesters. Nor are they all men involved in corrupt cover-ups. And for the record, to those who oppose the construction of an Islamic Center near Ground Zero, let me assure you, not every Muslim is a terrorist. These are indisputable facts that you can confirm personally by visiting churches and mosques, and then talking with the faithful. If you do, as I have, you’ll find yourself surrounded by worshippers who are heartbroken and disgusted by the heinous criminals who have sullied all that they ever held sacred.
No one and no thing has been either all black or all white since we were introduced to the Crayola 12 pack in elementary school. People, and the institutions they belong to, always come in shades of grey.
‘Maybe if there was just a little less gushing about him. Like 90 percent of what people are saying about him can be cut,’ my movie industry insider explains. ‘And if you ask the people questions about him again, so that there’s more of a cynical take on his life, maybe...’
But, I counter, ‘Even if I interviewed everyone again, I doubt I would get anything but people saying he was a wonderful man. I mean, by all accounts, he was a wonderful man.’
He agreed, but then started shifting uncomfortably in his chair and looking at his watch; he missed the point entirely.
Our documentary isn’t about the Church. It’s about one man, a unique person who dedicated his entire life(not just a few summers) to helping people in a completely impoverished land. He built countless clinics, schools and churches, and cultivated farms for and with people who had nothing – and after 41 years of hard work, he was unexpectedly murdered.
His close friends described him as a man who never wore a new item of clothing in his entire adult life, as a man who never drank alcohol but was always the first one to get the ‘song and dance’ going at parties. I was impressed to hear a radio interview in which this Roman Catholic priest talked about how he was heartened to see more support for gay marriage in recent years.
Henry David Thoreau once wrote, ‘When were the good and the brave ever in a majority?... Each one who there laid down his life for the poor and oppressed was a picked man, culled out of many thousands, if not millions.’
Doesn’t this one good man, culled of millions, deserve to have his story told– and heard? Doesn’t his brutal death warrant an investigation beyond the paltry one that the local police are willing to give him(they’re calling it armed robbery, even though his attackers tied him and beat him, only to come away with a mobile phone and an undetermined amount of paperwork)?
If we could shed light on this one man’s death, and life, I thought, perhaps we would come away with answers – or at least meaningful questions – about land and tribal conflicts, and political corruption in the country where he was killed.
But apparently these concepts just aren’t salacious enough for modern viewers, or at least weren’t enough to convince my funding representative to finance the completion of our film.
Thus, after my miserable meeting, I almost gave in to the temptation to let my old friend Rejection persuade me to lose faith in the world at large.
It’s always the boy who says he’ll always be there for you that’s never there when you call. It’s always the so-called independent thinkers who end up being as bland as beige when challenged to consider a new idea. And it’s always fools like me who are disappointed for believing in them, time and time again.
In a haze of heartbreak, I called my best friend and begged her to give me perspective.
‘You’re at one of those critical crossroads. The question isn’t whether this one person likes your project. It’s, do you believe in it? I believe in it, and I know you do, too. So you have to choose to either continue to work on this, no matter what they say, or drop the project after all of your work.’
Before we hung up, she added, ‘It’ll all work out. Trust me. You just have to believe.’
Is there any blessing quite as inspiring as true friendship? Hope in life restored.
For now, at the very least.
28 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.roseofengland | Sep 01, 2010, 04:02 PM EDT
I think you should have been more sensitive to the feelings of many of the faithful in Ireland at present - rage, anger, disgust, shock, bewilderment, anxiety. This is probably not the time to extol the virtues of a Catholic priest, however good a man he was. Be patient, the tide will turn as so many of us know and love our faith and will remain within the church in spite of all the hurt and dismay we feel at the moment. Some of the posts here offer sensible comments, such as writing yourself about this priest and the good he has done. The best advice I can offer is - do your best to gain your objective, refusing to be put down by others, but remember the final result is in God's hands, not yours. God bless you.
figtirish | Sep 01, 2010, 01:36 PM EDT
I think it is a shame that this director acted in this way but I am hardly surprised. I agree with himThe church has brought down all of its hierarchy and priests bad and good with its behavior.There are no saving graces anymore. Don't forget they choose a pope they knew was up to his neck in covering up pedophilia crimes. Hardly surprising they are in this mess now
MaryM232 | Sep 01, 2010, 11:24 AM EDT
You have several options, firstly, not suggesting you sink to the levels of other groups, but holding their feet to the fire. Accuse them of discrimination. They wouldn't suggest to those making a documentary about a muslim or anyone of another faith to make the subject "less gushing", even that term is indicative of a bias against the faith of the subject. I don't know if they have any legal organizations in Ireland like the Thomas More Law Center to assist you, but I'd suggest you look into it. You should raise a ruckus in the media. While this person and his agency might wish to imply Ireland isn't receptive to positive stories on Catholics and the church, that isn't the case among the general population. Don't fall for their propaganda. Also, you can try to get private funding as well. Chin up, and keep up your efforts to get your documentary made.
DeaconJack | Sep 01, 2010, 10:41 AM EDT
Why don't you just give it to God,totally and fully, and let HIm decide if it will fire hearts to read your manuscript???
Buffalobrave | Sep 01, 2010, 08:10 AM EDT
So if you judge the Catholic Church by the evil actions of a few, then I guess the population of the USA are a bunch of stupid morons. After all the G.W. Bush and his cohorts in government were all morons!
Strongbow | Aug 31, 2010, 06:10 PM EDT
Stop whinging. So your business deal fell through. Pick yourself up and move on and while you're at it give Mel Gibson a ring. He might be interested.
Bonniekara | Aug 31, 2010, 10:17 AM EDT
The minute the cover-up and the rejection of the resignation occurred, I was finished. After all of the overly strict baloney and uptight lies we have been told as kids, I'm finished. Guilt trips laid on us by a bunch of corrupt hierarchy. Enough.
Windmaker | Aug 31, 2010, 10:11 AM EDT
Posted by MavisPike on Aug 30, 2010, 09:41 PM EDT If ever you wanted evidence of how out of touch "Irish" Americans are with genuine Irish people then here it is. Go home, darling. We're not interested. Lovely condescension MavisPike. It says a lot about you. In what way is the writer out of touch? You mean with proper vlaues. Do you mean that the writer has failed to tarr all priests with the same brush? Do you mean perhaps that just because a good man happens to be a catholic priest, his story does not deserve to be told? Little narrow minded wouldnt you say. Dont deign to speak for all Irish by saying we arent interested.
JOHNTOBIN | Aug 30, 2010, 10:05 PM EDT
I would like to remind glorybe1929 again that the Catholic Church wrote the HOLY BIBLE in the first place.
MavisPike | Aug 30, 2010, 09:41 PM EDT
If ever you wanted evidence of how out of touch "Irish" Americans are with genuine Irish people then here it is. Go home, darling. We're not interested.
quixotic | Aug 30, 2010, 09:21 PM EDT
While I am simply overwhelmed by the evil that pedophile priests and callous biships have foisted on children, believers, and the very church itself (and whoever is handling the PR for the church had better quickly convince their CEO and CFO to resign immediately), i must make a point. My Uncle recently died as a long-time OMI in Inchicore. He was a remarkable man. I attended his funeral, and shortly after that of his brother, and met many of the retired priests of that order. I assure you, we will never see such again. These remarkable men are pillars of virture and dignity. They represent the best of what was once Ireland. They, also, are appaled by what has transpired. However, I assure you they are incredible testimony to the best of Irish Catholicism. The church is responsible for what has happened to our church because of they knowingly practiced training of young men for the priesthood in pre-puberty years denying them any access to family and the outside world. They hid those who were transformed by the process and covered up the evil because the Institution of the Church was more valued than the mission Christ gave it. They continue today to deny, minimized the evil. They actually think that it is more important to deny woman their rightful place than to recognize the tremendous violence perpetuated by priests on children. However, go in Inchicore; meet the OMIs there (especially Father Liam) and tell me their is no respect left for the Irish Priest.
murphy66 | Aug 30, 2010, 03:46 PM EDT
glorybe1929, my bet is that you will beg for a priest at the end.
2BorNot2B | Aug 30, 2010, 02:18 PM EDT
@glorybe1929 - You obviously have no idea that Catholics not only read the 'good book,' but were it not for the CC you would have nothing to read or base your pot shots on. --Here's a bit of advice for you since at your age it would behoove you to take a second look at the faith you abandoned because of bitterness, anger and misinformation. Your comfort in the soon to come afterlife depends on it. -- You seem to forget one of the cardinal rules found in that book the Catholic Church was kind enough to facilitate for you. When you judge the entire Church by the actions of a very few you are in fact slandering, defaming and doing what Jesus said NOT to: Judge not, lest you yourself be judged. -- As an evangelical you are nothing more than typical: full of hate and misinformation. You should read Karl Keating's book "Catholicism and Fundamentalism - The Attack on 'Romanism' by 'Bible Christians'" and see who in fact is the one that is 'full of fear and brainwashed.'
glorybe1929 | Aug 30, 2010, 01:50 PM EDT
When you,(James Murphy) say a few, what do you mean? After millenium[s] think of how many have been Spiritually Murdered by a trusted man who claims he is the Representative of Christ Jesus, here on Earth.These people groom so many at a time, as they grow up and they can no longer keep them from telling. Then the Bishop finds out someone is talking and transfers them to groom even more, so the supply never ends. Isn't this a disgusting thought, when it comes to the innocent of our world? These are and have been Crimes Against Humanity. No one will watch the movie except those who will use the good priests ideas for a cover up of their own diabolical deeds. The Good News is the HOLY BIBLE!Read it.
JamesMurphy | Aug 30, 2010, 01:29 PM EDT
It's a case of the majority being demonized by the evil acts of the few. On the other hand, good news rarely sells well. Take,for example, the effort some years ago to publish a newspaper entitled "The Good News." It lasted barely a week. Controversy sells and nothing sells like controversial subjects involving the church, e.g "The Da Vinci Code." Perhaps a movie about Opus Dei would do well. Now, there's a controversial topic for you.
glorybe1929 | Aug 30, 2010, 01:27 PM EDT
It's nice to see so many positive comments but I say;" who on earth wants to see this most wonderful priest (in your eyes), when BILLIONS of children, handicapped and the marginalized, have been sexually abused by these most wonderful of men, since THE INCEPTIONof the RCC"? We had 5 pedophile priests at our church at(St. Maria Goretti, in Scottsdale , Az.)[not all at the same time] that we thought were the most wonderful of men, too! They can be wonderful but also have another side to them, like Fr. John Dorn, to name only one. He was very well known to have brought Claire Booth Luce to the RCC. Very popular , very charismatic, well known all over the Catholic World. We were flabergasted to find out he was a pedophile.(It was all written up in the Az. Republic.) The rest of them we knew well also. I am 81 yr.s old and we left the RCC in 2001 when we knew everything we had heard (over the past 50 yrs we'd been married) we really knew NOW to be true. We never wanted to believe our Dominican sister the nun and our cousin the Holy Cross Brother. We knew it all to be true NOW and couldn't bear even looking at priests we knew to be so wonderful ever again. It's a sad story but one you can't ignore. WE found our Lord Jesus in many other ways through the years in Bible Studies promoted by other churches, which we weren't supposed to do, plus other ways that the church frowned upon. Their tight hold was not of Christ but of the evil one. Life is not easy but I'll tell you, we find giving our Lord Honor and Glory in Worship and Praise out weighs all the rules and regulations and FEAR that the RCC planted in everyone's head. The generational brain washing, when you think about it, was and still is, something so sickeningly diabolical. God knows this good priest's acts of mercy etc. so leave it for HIM to give the accolades. Nothing will ever turn this church around. Reality is reality. Read the GOOD BOOK!
bakerbj2 | Aug 30, 2010, 11:40 AM EDT
You need to either set up a nonprofit or a LLC corporation and start soliciting funds for your project. Set up a website and ask for donations. There are thousands of stories of great priests who work in total anonymity all over the world fighting against dictators, warlords, and corruption. Many priests spend their entire life trying to improve the lives of the poor. Don't give up hope! Have you applied for any of the awards, grants, and prizes for documentaries?
Intercessor | Aug 30, 2010, 10:47 AM EDT
If you need funding, go to the Church. Right now, I imagine that they would go to any extent, even to the extent of providing funding for a project, which would cast any priest in a good light. This man sounds remarkable and from what you have said, he seems to embody "Christian Ideals," which can be identified by those in the Body of Christ, regardless of denomination! Mel Gibson might be another possible source of funding. May I suggest that you "start smalI." I am an amateur videographer, and I'm always surprised when my friends come up with funding for small projects. If you put together a small, successful project, then you will have something to market, which hopefully will draw in "Big Bucks!" Also, the Sundance Film Festival, in the States, has a category for "Low Budget/No Budget Films." Should you get recognition for your project there, I imagine that support, as well as money, would follow. Sundance is where I am taking my documentary on "Crimen Sollicitationis," which to date has been produced without one cent of outside money. Maybe we'll meet each other there. Even though our projects are at opposite ends of the spectrum, I wish you good luck and good funding! Take heart! All will work out! Jeannie
Barbaracvm | Aug 30, 2010, 10:12 AM EDT
How many times is a manuscript rejected before finally being accepted for print? The book turns out to be a best seller. Keep trying. You will find that one who will.
stormcloudz | Aug 30, 2010, 09:42 AM EDT
Would love to hear more about this - sounds intriguing! I wonder if by raising the profile of this situation, finance may be attracted. Sounds like an Irish hero - surely irish film makers should be delighted to take on a story like this. It may be worth contacting a UK or even US based film maker as they tend to be more open minded and willing to take risks. Good luck with it - I'd love to hear the whole story!
athlonejackie | Aug 30, 2010, 09:37 AM EDT
Never mind "over there". Read Irish Central and try to find out good news about the Catholic Church!
donal1951 | Aug 30, 2010, 09:34 AM EDT
Try to sell the film in the USA. It sounds to me as if it is an inspiring documentary about a good man who, perhaps, was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I live in the USA and have a firearms permit. People who mind their own business still can be targets of robbers and thieves.
LightningBringr | Aug 30, 2010, 09:33 AM EDT
The story will be told. Persevere Mary - somethings don't come easily but I can tell that you are passionate that this story gets told. As you say this is not a positive story about the catholic church but one about a man who was good whos life had a tragic ending. The funding will come. In the meantime channel the rage and dissapointment you felt from this meeting into making the next person believe what this financier didn't. Best of Luck.
GeorgeDillon | Aug 30, 2010, 09:25 AM EDT
Don't get discouraged. Ireland is currently in a kind of Dark Age. I wouldn't waste time on it.
jamesadamo | Aug 30, 2010, 09:25 AM EDT
bacon cheese burger deluxe
jamesadamo | Aug 30, 2010, 09:24 AM EDT
Who is the priest you keep mentioning?
Windmaker | Aug 30, 2010, 09:20 AM EDT
Very good article- true too. Much bad has been done by the Catholic Church but also much good and to dismiss the good is to simply hide behind ideology. It is unfortunate that a good man's story cannot be told due to "bien pensant" prejudice. Very good article.
Godscre | Aug 30, 2010, 09:00 AM EDT
If you're interested in getting his story out, why not write about him? A book and article goes a long way. There are many people who continue to do good works. This many seems like a saint. By the way, there is a wonderful book by Dr. Holly Roberts (she is a medical and theological doctor), called 'Vegetarian Christian Saints; Mystics, Ascetics & Monks' a truly inspirational book of 150 Saints.