CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE

Ireland, 2003, 87 minutes, Colour.
Jonathan Forbes, Jason Berry, Brenda Fricker, Hugh Bonneville.
Directed by John Deery.

Conspiracy of Silence takes up the contemporary theme of celibacy of the Catholic clergy.

Writer-director, John Deery, grew up in an Irish Catholic family, briefly considered becoming a priest and is still a practising Catholic. He has said that his film was not the result of immediate personal experience, nor from involvement in debates about the status of celibacy for the clergy, nor from scandals that have beset the Church, especially in Ireland, during the last decade. Rather, during the mid-90s, he said that he was reflecting on the Church at the end of the second millennium and where challenges to its relevance lay. It seemed to him that the celibacy question posed such a challenge, especially with the departure of so many priests from active ministry, the decision of so many to marry, and then the small numbers of men entering the seminaries in Western countries. How would the Church cope with fewer priests.

John Deery intends Conspiracy of Silence to stimulate and contribute to the debate about celibacy not being required for priesthood. The screenplay cites the history of the rule and its introduction at the beginning of the second millennium. For many Catholics, this discussion is not new. It is current practice and is supported widely around the world. On the other hand, at the Second Vatican Council, many bishops asked for the rule to be changed so that they would have more priests available for ministry, married priests, especially in the developing world.

For some 'Catholics in the Pew', this discussion may not be familiar and could be surprising given the present practice that they are familiar with. For non-Catholic audiences, especially Christian audiences from Churches which do have married clergy, the discussion may not seem relevant except for its importance for Catholics.

John Deery has decided not to write a book, not to examine statistics, not to venture into sociological or psychological explanations, but rather to dramatise the issue in a contemporary Irish situation. His screenplay is based on research and he used Catholic technical advisers. Most Catholics will recognise dialogue, characters and many situations as authentic. They will recognise the dilemmas of those in good faith concerning celibacy and the misconduct of some of the clergy (both sexually and in the abusive exercise of power) which have become the frequent material for headlines and media coverage and are now all too familiar.

At 87 minutes, the film is modest in scope. While celibacy is the main issue, the screenplay also raises questions of clergy in homosexual relationships, HIV infection and the tragic suicides of clergy who cannot face their situations. With a strong Irish cast, including Brenda Fricker and John Lynch and actual well-known talk-show host, Gay Byrne, the film works on the emotions first and then uses this emotional response as a basis for debating the issues.

Clearly, media interests and those in position to foster controversy, will highlight the film and its issues. It would be a pity if it were sensationalised rather than being seen as a drama and debated fruitfully.

1. The Irish perspective on the church in Ireland, Irish culture, religious culture, the church hierarchy, issues of celibacy, double standards, journalism and the expose of hypocrisy?

2. The Irish countryside, the country town, the homes, the seminary, the pubs, the coast? Dublin and the television studio? The songs and their place in the film (especially in the romance scenes)? The Irish songs, the score?

3. The prologue and the General Council in Rome, the Pope and the hierarchy assembled, the discussion about celibacy, Frank and his placard with "The Church Has AIDS" (and this being visualised later)? His being ousted, his hands and the sign? Seeing him in his home, vesting, sitting in the chair, shooting himself? The note, the message given by the Jesuit, his letter to Matt and the revelation of the affair?

4. The context of the 20th century Catholic church, priests leaving the priesthood, issues of celibacy, double standards? The history of celibacy - as explained in the television session, a church rule in the 12th century? The bishop and his comments about a spirituality of celibacy, relationship with God? The reality of the scandals? The faithful shocked? Journalists and the exposes, uncovering the truth and furthering their careers? The availability of television and the internet, everything being made public instantly? The church as defensive, cover-up? The title?

5. The focus on Daniel, his place in the seminary? Seminary life, the classes, meals, the students going out, the relationship with the staff, the high table and the students' tables? The casual clothes? The nature of vocation, his sense of vocation? Playing hurling, discussions at table about sexuality and orientations? About reading? The clergy, the hurling, the shower sequence? The invitation to study St Paul, Daniel going to the room, his being alone, the seminarian's approach and justification? The priest seeing Daniel walking out, the false report?

6. The character of the rector, his harsh attitudes, Jack and the director of communications? The discussion, the accusations against Daniel, the unjust decision? His being upset, attacking the old priest in the courtyard? The rector and his decision, the rules, the importance of appearances?

7. The priest's suicide, Jack going to see Matt, his grief? Dave Foley and Jack talking to him, the article in the paper, the reaction of the bishop, the clergy? The editor promoting the discussion? The phone call, his going back on his word, Dave shaming him? The editor sending the article to the Irish Times? Dave and his continued research?

8. The character of Dave Foley, his relationship with his wife, always away, her being hurt, the child? His career? Playing on the beach and Matthew arriving? His talking to Daniel? The editor, the article in the Times, his drinking, the phone call, his going to Dublin? The threats against his family, his poor performance on the television program?

9. Daniel's home, his mother and father, brothers and sisters, Mary and the gossipy woman at the shop? The father and his flying off the handle? Their blaming Daniel for his being expelled? What the neighbours would think? The strong Irish tradition of shame when anybody left a seminary? The father and his being on the committee for European grants, at the pub, singing? Daniel and his frank talks with his mother?

10. The Jesuit coming for the lecture, the discussion of morality and the experience of suffering in the under-developed countries? His comment on morality in the developed countries? The bishop being present, the other visitors? Daniel late, his being ousted, the confrontation? Everybody having their say? The bishop walking out? The Jesuit talking to Matt and offering him the message the priest had given him?

11. The discussions with Jack and the Jesuit, their past friendships, the Jesuit supporting Daniel? The rector and his summoning Jack, assigning him to a parish?

12. The rector, his certainties, autocratic behaviour, identifying with the power of the church, no consultation? The director of communications and his manoeuvring for cover-up? Insisting the bishop go on television?

13. Daniel and his previous love for Sinead, his sense of vocation, meeting her at the pub, the sexual encounter (and the romantic song and the fire-lit style)? His determination to go back to the seminary, his talking to Dave Foley, going to the television program? His wanting priesthood and marriage? His challenge to the bishop? The other seminarians, the captain of the hurling team and his homosexual approach and his being expelled?

14. The background of the Irish college in Rome, Matthew and Frank and their relationship, Matthew reading out Frank's letter on television, the accusation against the bishop? His storming out?

15. The television program, the actual compere, Gabe Byrne, the discussions, giving people a chance, the bishop pontificating about the spirituality of celibacy? Daniel's attack, his being shamed?

16. The law of celibacy, the possibility of change? Discussions? The attitude of the variety of priests, especially those at the television program? The discussions of issues - and the dramatising of issues?