- Feb 5, 2002
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It was silly to comment on a Facebook post. I “went down the rabbit hole,” as my daughter sometimes says when one becomes too involved in a social media thread. Here’s how it happened:
I follow a few Catholic groups on Facebook, so when I saw the title, “Holy Orders,” I was captivated. I expected it might be a new book about vocations to the priesthood, from like-minded Catholics.
My expectations changed when I saw the actual source of the post. It was from a nearby regional theater, announcing the public reading of a new play. After decades of working in the performing arts in local schools and community theater, I am wary of modern shows that deal with my Catholic faith. When contemporary plays from mainstream playwrights present Catholicism, they likely get something wrong. I’m sorry to say it about my fellow artists, many of whom are dear friends, but it’s true.
Consequently, when I read the story line about a middle-aged nun who goes against her order’s directives when she ministers to a poor parish, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Would this play simply be about a devout religious who serves the poor? Unfortunately, according to the summary given by the theater, it is not. The character of the nun actually “serves Mass” in the poor parish, because the diocese has ignored the parish’s request for a priest. The nun is disciplined by her superiors for her disobedience and then takes some time to decide whether this incident was a chance to pursue her true vocation as a Catholic priest.
Continued below.
catholicstand.com
I follow a few Catholic groups on Facebook, so when I saw the title, “Holy Orders,” I was captivated. I expected it might be a new book about vocations to the priesthood, from like-minded Catholics.
Mainstream Theater and Catholicism
My expectations changed when I saw the actual source of the post. It was from a nearby regional theater, announcing the public reading of a new play. After decades of working in the performing arts in local schools and community theater, I am wary of modern shows that deal with my Catholic faith. When contemporary plays from mainstream playwrights present Catholicism, they likely get something wrong. I’m sorry to say it about my fellow artists, many of whom are dear friends, but it’s true.
Consequently, when I read the story line about a middle-aged nun who goes against her order’s directives when she ministers to a poor parish, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Would this play simply be about a devout religious who serves the poor? Unfortunately, according to the summary given by the theater, it is not. The character of the nun actually “serves Mass” in the poor parish, because the diocese has ignored the parish’s request for a priest. The nun is disciplined by her superiors for her disobedience and then takes some time to decide whether this incident was a chance to pursue her true vocation as a Catholic priest.
Distorting Catholic Doctrine
Continued below.
Defending the Faith in the Rabbit Hole of Social Media - Catholic Stand
We traditional Catholics expect the press, social media, and even the entertainment industry to misunderstand Catholic doctrine and unwittingly promote falsehoods about our faith. But when the sadly mistaken individual is Catholic, it is disheartening. On the other hand, how wonderful it is when...
catholicstand.com
