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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 1968)
GEORGIA BULLETIN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 1968 7 1. “THE negative categories do not respect enough—at least seen through the eyes of the public—the conscience of the persons who have to decide themselves, after due information, whether or not to see such films.” 2. “It is practically impossible for a moral classification committee, however serious it may be, to pronounce with certainty upon the presumed influence or range of a film, as the research-workers in this field are only starting to discover this influence.” 3. “The moral categories function for an ‘average public’ which it is not easy to define. One could almost say that there are as many publics as spectators.” Acknowledging that National Catholic film offices still have an obligation to “inform the faithful about the value of films” and that “this is more necessary than ever because productions get more and more audacious and censorship becomes more tolerant than before,” the French-Canadian resolution goes on: These pictures were taken only 10 months apart. What made this un believable difference? $50 worth of food and care sent by someone who cared. Millions of such chil dren in Mission lands are starving today! Do you care? Dear Monsi gnor: Use this $ to make the same change in another child. I know that every bit helps. NAME: ... . ADDRESS: _1 ~ , 1 ; BUT POLICY NOT CHANGED NCOMP Publishes Ratings Proposal NEW YORK (CPF)—The latest annual report of the National youngsters, their parents „ and Catholic Office for Motion Pictures features a detailed proposal in - their educators to whom they are favor of ending the moral classification of films. entrusted.” The proposal is in the form of a “resolution” that was first offered by a representative of the French-Canadian Catholic Film Office at the 1967 Berlin Film Festival, but it has just now been published by NCOMP, with the comment that it has “great significance for the future relationship of the Church to the NCOMP HAS not announced plans to terminate its moral ratings—which range from A-l to Condemned—but its inclusion of the French-Canadian proposal in its review of the 1967 film year is significant and suggests that NCOMP is weighing such a policy change. The yearly report, this time titled “Films 1967,” contains “Catholic Film Newsletters” reviews of major 1967 films, a report on NCOMP’s annual awards, a listing of the moral ratings of all the films seen by NCOMP in 1967, and several articles: one on the use of violence in war films (“There is little evidence that the presentation of violence has the effect of making an audience more peace-loving”). The resolution says that “moral classification, indeed, stirs up major difficulties we can no longer ignore” and goes on to list three principal ones: IN PLACE of the usual film moral classifications—A-l, A-2, A-3, A-4, B and C—there would be: “Mainly a Service giving information about the human and Christian value of films. “Rather than establish moral classifications, information is given in the form of a detailed and subtly balanced appreciation of the contents of the film, the length of which may vary according to the film. “The appreciation would not deal with the supposed influence of each film, but underline what positive things there are on the human and Christian levels without neglecting however to identify the reprehensible elements it might contain.” An axuiliary service would list which films were suitable for children and adolescents “to help PART OF the reasoning for an end to the ratings system is that they have led Catholics to rely on the ratings as the sole factor in deciding whether to see or avoid a film. “We cannot dismiss these creations by a single word or category,” says the resolution. “We need a detailed appreciation respecting the creative effort.” The National Catholic Office for Motion Pictures has in recent years—through its “Catholic Film Newsletter” and capsule' comments—tried to disseminate information about films, but if the no-rating system is to work effectively, says the French-Canadian resolution, the Catholic film office must “be able to rely upon the effective cooperation of the Press,” referring to diocesan newspapers. The film office must also be able to assure Catholics that an end to film ratings does not mean that the Church is no longer concerned about forming the consciences of Catholics in regard to films, the resolution added. "If this task were neglected by the National and Diocesan Offices, the change runs the risk of being misunderstood,” the resolution concludes. “The truth is that there is always an authentic assumption of responsibilities, but that it is exerted in a different way, better adjusted to present-day pastoral needs. “IT IS somewhat like the question of Fasting and Abstinence where precise rules have been suppressed but not the obligation of doing penance which still—in conscience—falls on everyone.” SISTER Mary Charlotte Barton G.N.S.H., former principal at D’Youville Academy in Atlanta, has been appointed the 13th' president of D’Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y. Sister Charlotte succeeds Sister Francis Xavier who has had the post for six years. ONE HOUR "MODERNIZING” CLEANERS 3995 PEACHTREEROADINBROOKHAVEN MARIST UNIFORMS A SPECIALITY 1 Hour Service Every Day Til 3:00 P.M. Clay Appliance Service Prompt, Dependable, and fully guaranteed Sales & Service - Frigidalre Dealer M. E. McDaniel « Prop. - 4015 Peachtree Road, N. E. 237-6379 BROOKHAVEN WHO rHOTOS “We recommend to the National Film Offices to adopt a new method of presenting information on films respecting to a larger extent the conscience of the faithful, leaving to individual appreciation the effect .of a film after study of the information given by the Office.” THE MISSIONS NEED YOUR HELP! SALVATION AND SERVICE ARE THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE SEND YOUR GIFT TO The Right Reverend Edward T. O’Meara National Director /\p 366 Fifth Avenue New York. New York 10001 The Reverend Noel C. Burtenshaw Archdiocesan Director P. O. Box 12047. Northside Station Atlanta. Georgia 30305
