Call to boycott film critical of Polish clergy

The Catholic Association of Journalists slammed director Wojciech Smarzowski’s The Clergy (Polish title Kler), as “hideous” and “profanatory”.

In a statement, the Catholic journalists said that Islamization was a key problem in Europe, but added that this was a politically incorrect topic.

Meanwhile, "Catholics, especially Polish Catholics and everything that is associated with Catholicism, can be mocked,” they said.

The Clergy recently premiered to a full house at the Polish Film Festival in the coastal city of Gdynia, Poland’s PAP news agency reported.

While some hailed it as “compelling,” "stunning" and “a great, important movie,” others said the film offered a skewed image of priesthood and Catholicism, according to reports.

The Clergy tells the story of three priests, including one living in a relationship with a woman and another accused by his parishioners of being a paedophile.

The film also depicts an archbishop who lives a life of luxury, is well connected in the corridors of power and has a direct influence on domestic politics.

'Negative stereotypes'

Poland’s Deputy Culture Minister Jarosław Sellin described The Clergy as a film harming the Roman Catholic Church and "only showing negative stereotypes overstated to the extent that after watching the movie, the viewer gets the impression that there is nothing positive about clergymen,” PAP reported.

The film, which features a cast of leading Polish actors, is scheduled to hit movie theatres in Poland on Friday.

(pk)

Source: IAR