Film and Catholic Action

Extract

In a letter to Canon Brohée, President of the Centre Catholique d’Action Cinématographique, His Holiness Pope Pius XI wrote, April 25th, 1934:

‘The discoveries of Science are also the gifts of God which we must use for His glory and the extension of His kingdom.

‘Catholics of all countries of the world ought to consider it a duty in conscience to busy themselves with this question which is growing in importance. The cinema is going to become the greatest and most efficacious means of influence, more efficacious even than the Press, for some films are seen by millions of people. It is therefore highly desirable that organized Catholics should occupy themselves constantly with the Cinema in their meetings to promote Catholic Action and in their programmes of study.’

On reading this letter the loyal Catholic might excusably heave a sigh of relief. Owing to the American Boycott much has been said for and against the Cinema. Some people have deplored its influence and condemned it as a medium; others have accepted it, but entirely misunderstood its power and therefore its danger; some of us have even ventured to make films . . . But amid this mass of conflicting opinion, one thing is now clear, that the Holy Father not only encourages the use of the Cinema, but considers that it is our duty to use it in the Apostolate. This in itself is a great step forward, and will relieve many a dubious conscience.