Catholics/The Exorcist 1973

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 8/4/2010


Question
QUESTION: I was wondering if it would be permissible to watch the 1973 movie the exorcist. If not, why not. Would you have any personal feelingings on this subject?

ANSWER: Hi, Marcion:
Thanks for the question.
Nah... Don't bother to watch the exorcist.  It is too scarey for many people, and it is not exactly 100% accurate in its portrayal of an exorcism.  I understand that this cinema production has bad, vulgar language and graphic violence.  If a person wishes to learn more about exorcisms he or she might better read books, or view some sort of more objective documnetary type of materials.  + God bless you!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Not as a documentery of course but as pure entertainment. Would you call it a "threat to Catholic morals"? Plus I have already viewed parts of it already, I actually found it funny, (on the grounds that people think that it is scary, if that is the best that the devil can do I truely have nothing to fear, vienial sin is much more scary in my opinion) I am not trying to press permission to watch the movie, infact I was even wondering if one who watched it should go to confession for viewing it. Are there any Church documents or decrees on the subject?

ps. I do understand that not everyone should watch this, I was talking if it would conflict with my Catholic faith to watch it as a Halloween special.

Answer
I would not recommend watching it generally speaking for most people in most circumstances.  I am unaware of any specific Church directives on that movie in particular.  If a search of some kind yields anything for you, be sure to share it here!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.