‘PRIEST’ PRO AND CON

“Behind the Clergy’s Closed Doors” (by David Gritten, March 19) glowingly featured the film “Priest,” aptly described by Gritten as “an angry piece of invective directed against the Catholic church’s hierarchy.”

I cannot comment on the film; but what the article alone demonstrated is that bigotry, intolerance and hatred are accepted and even applauded as long as they are aimed in the “right” direction: at the Catholic church. Director Antonia Bird and screenwriter Jimmy McGovern were almost beside themselves with self-righteousness, prejudice and hypocrisy.

When Bird takes the line, “the film is not against the Catholic faith; it’s only against the hierarchy,” she’s speaking out of both sides of her mouth.

The Catholic church would not be what it is without its hierarchy, any more than the L.A. Times would be what it is without its hierarchy (of copy editors, managing editors, writers, photographers, graphic artists, et al.). Subtract the hierarchy, and what you have could no longer be called the Catholic church, any more than The Times without its hierarchy would be The Times.

L.A. CARSTENS

Sunland

I have seen “Priest” and thought that the acting was excellent and the message relevant to what is really plaguing the Catholic clergy today. Every Catholic seminarian should see “Priest.” It will show him some of the realistic sides of the vocation that he has chosen that is not taught in seminaries.

ALAN ALBERT SNOW

Balboa Island

Remember there are tens of thousands of Catholic priests, nuns, brothers around the world who have willingly devoted their lives to do the work of God and, in the process, do keep their vow of chastity.

Despite Jimmy McGovern’s script, it ain’t all sex and sodomy on Sunday in the rectory.

JOHN BRODHEAD

La Canada