FORBES: WHO LET THE BLOGS OUT?

"Today the U.S. bishops withdrew"...from the USCCB, and the Church can now breathe easier.

Seriously, if the purpose of the Office of Film and Broadcasting is to provide Catholic insight into the world of secular media and that insight is to go see crappy movies that also happen to be blasphemous and debasing to the human person, then how can it be said the office is fulfilling its function by any stretch of the imagination?

For the rest of us, when we fail so miserably at doing our jobs, we get fired.

But if you work for the bishops, I guess you can count on lifetime employment regardless of performance.

Must be nice...

In the meantime, I think it is high time somebody took a peek at the bank accounts of Forbes and Mulderig because something really stinks and it stands to reason it is more than just their performance.

First, the review of "Brokeback Mountain"; next, the review of "The Golden Compass". Will they learn from their errors? The bet here is: No.

IMHO, the problem is that it is difficult for some people to actually hold someone accountable for their failures. It is particularly hard if the offender is performing "in the service of the Lord." There is a natural tendancy to avoid being critical of someone's service lest yours be called into question. Given the USCCB's record, their inaction is not very surprising.

Notice how the review was taken down after the miserable weekend at the box office and not when there was an outcry from the laity.

Basically, it looks more like the Office of Film and Broadcasting would rather hide the fact that it gave a glowing review to a bust of a movie, than hold itself accountable to educating Catholics about films.

Fire Forbes and bring in Greydanus.

Or they can just save some cash and bring AmericanPapist into the Office. That would work out well, too.

Dear Harry Forbes and/or the USCCB,

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
--Luke 17:2

Not literally of course, but either come out with a public apology and repent or be removed from the office.

Don't hold your breath, Tito.

The outcry about this film was not limited to Catholics. I received e-mail from people of good will who were members of non- and sometimes anti-Catholic groups who inidcated that they and their religious leaders were opposed to it.

I think putting American Papist in charge of the office would be a good idea. Or they could just flat out remove the office from the USCCB. But who are we kidding: The USCCB confusing souls for more than 40 years. It's a good thing that the Bishops' Conferences aren't infallible.

The film office really does more harm than any conceivable good. The average Catholic seems to have the impression 'The Bishops' have pronounced on any particular film. Even if the office was doing good reviews (which it isn't by a long stretch), the confusion it's causing to the faithful about the Bishops' teaching role is a real problem.

I have to confess...I NEVER check the UCCB rating nor their review when deciding to catch a flick. Is that bad? :)

Our family uses James Dobson's site (plugged-in). It has superior information.