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'Stand-up comedian Frank Skinner to join academics and clerics for major
celibacy debate'
Pope Benedict XVI recently said that celibacy is "The sign of full devotion, the
entire commitment to the Lord. Is he right or has the time now come to openly
challenge that view? Leading Catholic thinkers, clerics and celebrities to have
a live public debate on the vow of celibacy.
Film director, John Deery, is staging a debate on the contentious and topical
issue of celibacy in the Catholic Church on Tuesday 14 September 2010, two days
before the visit of the Pope to the UK.
The motion for the debate will be: 'Celibacy should no longer be a compulsory
requirement for the Roman Catholic priesthood'.www.conspiracyofsilence.co.uk
For press enquiries please contact: Conspiracy of Silence Ltd on 020 8392 1936
or email:
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For more information about the film please visit: www.conspiracyofsilence.co.uk
Speakers for the motion are:
Professor Tina Beattie, Roman Catholic theologian, writer & broadcaster,
Roehampton University
John Deery, award-winning writer/director
Helena Kennedy QC, leading human rights lawyer
Fr. John McGowan, Order of Carmelite (OCD), Roman Catholic priest
Speakers against the motion are:
Bishop Malcolm McMahon, Roman Catholic Bishop of Nottingham
Frank Skinner, stand-up comedian and broadcaster
Jack Valero, Communications Director Opus Dei UK and Coordinator Catholic Voices
Fr. Stephen Wang, Dean of Studies, Allen Hall Seminary
Chaired by Ernie Rea, broadcaster and presenter of BBC Radio 4's Beyond Belief.
The debate will take place at the Odeon West End Cinema, 40 Leicester Square,
London WC2H 7LP and will be preceded by Deery's critically acclaimed film
Conspiracy of Silence. The film has received awards at international film
festivals including winning the Freedom of Expression Award from the prestigious
National Board of Review (NBR) in the USA, which was shared with Mel Gibson for
The Passion of the Christ and Michael Moore for Fahrenheit 9/11.
Deery's film is inspired by true stories and real events researched from
Catholic priests in the UK, Ireland and Italy. The screenplay was developed at
the Sundance Screenwriters' Lab in the US and deals head on with the issue of
celibacy.
John Deery comments 'œI am delighted that so many leading Catholic thinkers have
agreed to debate this most important of subjects facing the Catholic Church. The
celibacy issue has become increasingly contentious as vocations to the
priesthood have fallen so dramatically. The Church's refusal to face this
growing crisis, alongside its alleged culpability in multiple child abuse
scandals points to an internal inertia and denial which must be challenged.
Sexuality and celibacy are at the heart of the matter.'
Bishop Malcolm McMahon adds 'œI am pleased that I have the opportunity to put
across the Catholic Church's view on the vow of celibacy at this important time
in our history. The speakers John and his team have assembled are first class
and I am sure we will have a most enjoyable and enriching evening.'
Running order:
6pm '“ Arrival
6.30pm '“ 8pm '“ Conspiracy of Silence screening
8.00pm '“ 8.30pm '“ refreshment break
8.30pm '“ 10pm '“ Celibacy Debate
Tickets £30 (£20 concessions) available from 020 8392 1936 or on line at |
