Bishop airs movie misgivings

“I have repeatedly offered $1,000 to anyone who can furnish any proof from the Bible that Sunday is the day we are bound to keep…The Bible says, ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,’ but the Catholic Church says, ‘No, keep the first day of the week,’ and the whole world bows in obedience.”

Catholic Priest T. Enright, Kansas, U.S.A., 1884.

The Most Rev. Dr. Kinane, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, protested against the opening of two Waterford cinemas on Sundays, warning of their adverse influence during a sermon in the Cathedral back in wartime November 1941.

Ever since the introduction of film houses, it had been the practice in Waterford City that they did not open on the seventh day. That practice had its principal basis in the consideration that whilst occasionally films might be harmless, or even occasionally positive viewing, the general tendency of the cinema was demoralising. Consequently, he cautioned, cinema shows were inappropriate amusement for the day which God and His Church deemed that they keep holy.

There was, of course, also a Church desire to prevent undue interference with the Sunday evening devotions. This practice, his Lordship went on, was intrinsic to faith, piety and self-sacrifice, and “I have nothing but admiration, praise and thanks for the laity of this city, because of the fidelity with which they have adhered to it, and the readiness with which they nave seconded the efforts of the clergy in upholding it.”

He understood that two of the city cinemas were being opened that night and protested very strongly against it. “Pious practices such as the Sunday ceiling devotions were the outworks, the first defences of our holy religion.” If they allowed these to be sapped or undermined, “the main citadel itself would soon be in serious danger,” he declared.

Top image: famous Craggy Island cinema protest scene from Father Ted. [Channel 4]