Why are clergymen in American movies always Roman Catholics ?

Question

One might suppose that the USA has always been a Catholic country, so hyped are Catholic priests in Hollywood movies. But why is this the case ? It is far from representative of the actual beliefs of the indigenous American population is it not ?

Answer 1

Yeah, often called "Fr. O'Malley" or something with a sort of Irish (ish) accent.

Answer 2

You always see Roman Catholic Priests in American films because North America is actually the United States of Romerica, irrespective of the other Christian Faiths...

Do you honestly believe that the USA(R) is actually independent???

According to the Bible, if U believe in such things, the Ten Commandments state "you shall have no other gods before me..."

Therefore, logically, priests should in no way call themselves FATHER - as this name, according to the Lords Prayer, is the name of GOD...

By the way, I do not follow any religion, and I am not an atheist.

Answer 3

Actually, I think it is because the type (RC Priest) is easily understood by most people, and most easily recognized. Stereotypes are easier for Hollywood types to understand and cast.

I've noticed a shift away from this, however, especially in TV shows and movies. Several "holy men" in recent cop shows have actually been Jewish Rabbis, instead of Christian priests, and there was a "CSI" tale surrounding a Buddhist temple. The minister in "Little House on the Prairie" was actually Protestant (although that show was older), there was a Pagan witch doctor on the "Flash" series (again, several years ago), and the heroic holy man in "Bulletproof Monk" was a Buddhist.

So, you are right in your original observation. However, I think that the trend is shifting. Like producers noticing that there is more than one color in the American people (white), now they are noticing that there is more than one religion present.

Answer 4

--Is Catholic--

There are plenty of movies out there with protestant clergy. I just watched one a few weeks ago where the man lead was a Calvanistic preacher (Hawaii). Additionally the recent movie SIGNS had an Episcopal as the lead.

I would suggest that there are three reasons why in most modern movies you see Catholics taking the lead.

1. Modern movies are very secular and there is little wish to promote anything religious. If you look at movies made over 30 years ago, there are plenty of religious movies and there are plenty of religious themes in movies that can be expounded well with Protestant leads. When you take away the religious themes you are left with only the more cultural elements. There is nothing about Protestantism, save for High Anglicanism, that is culturally religious or looks Christian. Men with collars and women with funny hats are recognized as Christian and so they can be used as Christian leader characters. You automatically assume they are Catholic so they are written as Catholic. If you want to make a movie that has Christianity in it, but are not going to actually be talking about religion, you can visually see Catholicism and its culture, but you cannot visibly see Protestantism or its culture. Secularism and liberalism also tends to laugh at Protestant culture as ridiculous and out of touch with history and science. On the other hand, while Catholics might be despised, there is a reality of the historicity of the Catholic culture that is so engrained into history that Catholics are viewed as “traditional” while Protestants are “not yet fully enlightened”. You have to realize that liberalism and secularism finds its roots in Protestantism. The Enlightenment, after all, is only taking Luther et. al. to their logical conclusions. Secularists hate the Catholic Church, agree with the Reformers, and wish that their descendants would finish the process and get rid of Christianity all together.

2. Everyone knows what the Catholic faith is all about. If you have a non-Catholic, anyone who is not a part of that group is not going to understand and thus you have to spend time explaining what they believe and why they don’t believe like the rest of your audience. Show a man in a collar, you generally understand what he is about. If you are writing a horror movie, why would you use a Protestant lead? If you are dealing with the occult and with demonic, everyone recognizes that a Catholic has to be the opponent. At that level of spiritual warfare, Protestants don't cut it. If you actually did a poll of real people and asked them if they had a real problem with a real demon who would they turn to get rid of it. The majority would turn to a Catholic exorcist.

3. Catholic mysticism and spiritually is incredibly rich and philosophically deep. This is why Hollywood likes to play around in Catholic imagery and thought. Protestantism simply isn't as deep. It is very emotive and surface in comparison. A great example would be to compare the themes that are going on in the Chronicles of Narnia (high Anglican) compared to The Lord of the Rings (Catholic). Modern day, just look at the movies for the Rapture that come out of Protestantism. That is not using a lot of brain cells.

Answer 5

it kinda funny before the movie the Godfather are the clergymen were Protestant and I used ask my father and his that this is a protestant country,you have a good question,I am catholic so I wonder why everyone in the T V show lost Except for jack Kate And Ford are Catholic

Answer 6

Catholics own America, it aint the jews, it's like the Jews killed Christ thing, the Catholics killed em, then took over the Jews on a murderous Christian murdering rampage. So to answer your question the Media world is different to the real world. (Catholics have the own way there too). Do they seem a little above the law to you too....... they do to me.

Answer 7

Because Roman Catholics are the awesomest! Real simple.

Answer 8

Oh, good question. I've never thought about it before, but you're right.

I think it's probably so that the writers can introduce a tragic love scenario - beautiful woman, he's torn between her and God. You've seen it too many times for me to need to go on.

Answer 9

Why are all the characters in these film part Italian or Irish? Perhaps it is because of American TV evangelists and their strange ways to God, mainly through your wallet.

Answer 10

Don't know, can't understand why!

What they need is a good High Anglocatholic British (with a small C) Priest.

Answer 11

They think being Roman Catholics make them look more superior, i suppose. After all its the catholic church that has caused the most wars etc., around the world.