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The two popes

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 12, 2020, 9:49 pm

https://cyprus-mail.com/2020/01/12/the-two-popes-expose-our-priests-inadequacy/

This captioned article is an opinion offered by a Cyprus based journalist. Refreshingly brief and enlightening. Worth spending a few minutes.

Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . .

Posted by John on January 13, 2020, 6:48 am, in reply to "The two popes"

. . . if you want to read an example of the power of the screen in influencing the unthinking.

Koumoullis, should have followed his initial instinct, as expressed in the opening words of his piece; he said he didn’t want to write about high priests et cetera. Think of all that printer’s ink he could have saved. However, he has found a piece of fiction that falls in line with his desires, and the rest is, (one of the more trivial pieces of), history. It is not as though it hasn’t happened before. Think, for instance, of all the people who directed their hatred at Pope Pius XII on the basis of that other piece of fiction, Rolf Hochhuth’s The Deputy.

When he embarks on a description of the film, Koumoullis, like so many journalists these days, cannot stick to the facts, but insists on editorializing. For instance, the reference to sinking as a comment on a return to the truth that has held the Church together for two millennia:

“the Catholic Church sank deeper into conservatism. Benedict XVI remained committed to the traditional views of the Church.”

He goes on to comment that contraception “was considered of vital importance in restricting the spread of Aids in Africa”, as if that was the consensus, when another large body of opinion preferred more moral remedies than harm-minimization.

I’d like to know what evidence Koumoullis has for this statement, “Benedict entertained the self-delusion that he and his predecessor, John Paul II, had solved all the pending problems plaguing the Church” other than that Anthony Hopkins is a good actor. He is so easily convinced when it comes to confirming his biases. After enduring a lot more of this piece, one comes to another example of easy conversion, (as if he needed to be converted), when he refers to the Pope’s token of compassion in taking 12 orphans back to the Vatican. Lucky 12! How fortunate for them that the Pope needed some pawns!

LOL

Posted by Faz on January 13, 2020, 11:20 am, in reply to "Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . ."

'He is so easily convinced when it comes to confirming his biases.'

Re: Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . .

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 13, 2020, 5:16 pm, in reply to "Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . ."

Well, John, journalists can elicit responses that are indicative of their easy willingness to bait their reading audience.

I agree that Rolf Hochhuth's, The Deputy was nothing more than a propaganda piece designed to massage the beliefs of those easily led.

Koumoullis' contribution was designed to antagonise the local Cypriot Greek Orthodox community.

I'll probably get round to watching The Two Popes for I am also a big fan of Anthony Hopkins.

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Re: Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . .

Posted by Tony M on January 13, 2020, 7:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . ."

So you find a piece by some hack writing antagonistically to sell copy refreshingly enlightening? Fair enough, Alex.

Re: Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . .

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 13, 2020, 7:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . ."

Well, Tony M, it has been experience that an enlightening article is best read with a willingness to learn, that each of us has much to learn from those who provide us with a reason to discuss their opinions.

Four and a half stars

Posted by Faz on January 14, 2020, 3:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Not all that brief, but certainly enlightening . . ."

I'll probably get round to watching The Two Popes for I am also a big fan of Anthony Hopkins.

I'd thoroughly recommend it Alex.

The acting is wonderful and the script superb.

It's relation to the truth?

In regard to the relationship between the protagonists? Very speculative.

In regard to some to the tensions in the universal church? Very provocative (in a positive sense).

Re: Four and a half stars

Posted by Alex Caughey on January 14, 2020, 5:15 pm, in reply to "Four and a half stars"

Faz, thanks for your recommendation.

When watching cinema, television, or theatre productions I am aware that it is first, and foremost entertainment produced by those with their own story to tell to their audiences.

Your reference to tensions within the institutional church should remind us that during the time of Christ's Apostles there were also many tensions and disagreements between "the players."

I also note that the two leading roles are played by Welsh actors leading me to understand that I will not have a problem with translating.

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