The Church is an organisation that belonged long ago.
There is no god.

Michael Cawood, Wrexham, Wales, UK

Well I'm not a Catholic but I do agree with what the Bishops have said here. Too often I find myself at home or at the cinema (even worse as you're then forced to watch) watching a 'love scene' which doesn't actually add anything to the movie and just takes up a lot of time which could have been spent on decent dialogue or moving a film forward. At times I think it's just in there as a token love scene to spice things up and show the men watching the film a bit of legs and boobs. Really unnecessary and quite cringeworthy really.

Louise, London,

Sure the Church has every right to speak up as anybody else (though I don't understand why media coverage for the Church's opinions is much wider than for everybody else's), and nobody wants the Church to shut up. But there are two points at issue: first, the Church is not trying to defend its own rights, but rather to prevent other people from using their own; secondly, and most importantly, what they have not explained yet is why making love should be considered dirty, sinful, and wrong. Why on Earth should it be? Isn't it the most wonderful thing when two people love each other, and act consequently in the way that is the most natural since the world exists? What is there of lustful and immoral?

Harry, Oxford,

Not only is the church correct in what it says, but it is absolutely entitled to express an opinion on the matter. This is something which many so - called liberals would seek to deny anyone whose opinion they don't like.

michael, harrogate, uk

Well Praise God that the Church is speaking out. We don't need the next generation saturated with this filth. They need to be saturated with GOD. Enough of this porn and sex in movies. If the secular world gets away with these things then I say "I have rights also." I don't want to see this stuff so get rid of it.

Ben, Newport, News, Virginia

Regardless of what the intentions of the Church and its sheep think, this is great publicity for this "sinful" film. I had no idea about it before but now I can't wait to see it. Thanks!

Mr. C, Potowomut , RI, USA

The bible shows God to be a terrifying monster. Forever raining death and destruction upon the world. At one point he wipes out the entire world's population with a great flood. Deliberately killing all the men, all the women, all the children and all the babies. God is therefore a mass baby killer. The Bible says so. Go past any church now and out front it proclaims 'God is merciful', or 'All loving god'. Where did that come from!! The Church used to use God the monster to frighten people into church. When that stopped working they did the biggest u-turn in history. God the mass baby killer was re-launched as God the all merciful. Their so called Christian principles did the same about turn. A glance at any history book will tell you that. The worlds most gullible people will happily tell you that only they know right from wrong, good from bad, nobody else would able to figure it out. Their numbers are dwindling every year, but they don't have the wit to work out why that is.

den, Memphis, USA

I think that this is a mere result of the attitude that lately the church had to interfere in every aspect of the italian life, spanning from politics to healthcare to universities or social life.
Everyday the church's point of view on anythink is in the headlines of tv news with real time reporting of what the pope or some cardinal said... Of course the church has the right to express their opinions but sometimes the media coverage of those opinion is a little bit exaggerated.
Sometimes believers should have a little more respect towards those who believe otherwise. No one has the absolute truth. Remind that.

Ra, Rome, Italy

Every Catholic Church has a near-naked man crucified over the altar. Greek Orthodox Churches show Christ resurrected supreme. I don't go to movies. The sex is senseless, however the mind-numbing violence even more disturbing as well as the movie-goers munching popcorn to the death throes of bloodied cinema victims.

Until the Church comments on that obscenity, then the Cardinals should heed the advice of Earl Butz Nixon's Secretary of Agriculture.

"You don't playah da game you no makah da rules."

Of course he was talking about birth control.

He got fired the next day.

Peter Smith, Des Moines, Iowa

There in ONE reason why the Catholic Church is the largest religion in the world (over 1 billion) and the largest demonination in the United States for that matter, and that is because it has stuck with original Christian principals as described in the Bible and Catholic traditions. All christian religious denominations at one time or another are breakoffs from the Catholic Church, but the Church remains steadfast in its core beliefs of human dignity and values for over 2000 years.
Literally, thank God we have a church that sticks with these principles that we have and will not be influenced by secular anti-religious trends as propounded in the media and Hollywood. If we turned to the atheists beliefs, we would have havoc and it would be every man and woman for themselves. We would be brutally out of control. Our forefathers knew this.
The church is good..some individuals in the church are not.

Vince Hugh, Atlanta, Ga

The Catholic Church is in the right and should be applauded for proclaiming the truth in this world. We need to listen more and promote the sacredness of human nature and pray for peace. The devil is running rampant and loving every minute of it.

Matthew, Maryville, TN

The Church is right.

One cannot engage in or 'mimic' sinful acts before a camera 'for art's sake' and be in the grace of God by doing so.

Adultery, fornication, lasciviousness and other sexual perversities remain sin before God....

And engaging in such acts, or emulating those who do, only rejects the Love of God by abusing one's fellow man if he so partakes.

homebild, Here,

I'm glad that the church is speaking out on it. I wish the advice were stricter. Sex scenes ruin otherwise interesting films. It is embarrassing. I do not like knowing that the actors are not married to each other. When I make a film, I will not let the audience see what a normal person would not see. If I went to your house, I would not follow you into your bedroom; so, too, my camera would stay in the public parts of the hosue. I think adult thoughts in movies would include complicated, interesting, intelegent story-lines, with people of all ages, pretty or not, all viewed as important people. Anyway, someone should tell the movie makers that clean movies make a lot of money and dirty movies usually lose money. So, why do you they keep making the annoying films?

Barbara Thompson, Campbellsville, USA/Kentucky

It's a shame people are so quick to condemn the church for speaking out on morals - have you taken a serious look at the world lately?! Violence, kids out of control, family breakdown, teenage suicide epidemics...because we break god's laws we have made our own laws, we think we can ignore what God says and not reap the consequences? Humanity have been given their freedom - don't get angry with the church for speaking the truth, and there is truth no matter how much the wishy washy want to believe that anything and everything goes. How can it? Make fun if you want, but the world is ignoring God and going down, down, down. Jesus came to this world himself to show the way - still we ignore it, using his name instead as a curse word. Think about it. Who really has the closed mind?

jenna, swindon, uk

I don't think the church should be expected to change its philosophy based on what some leftnik leaning people like joey oneill think. People who are obviously not even part of the church....and thus have no say whatsoever.
Films nowadays are full of gratuitous sex scenes, and self respecting actors/actresses should be more careful about the roles they accept.
Especially when the movies are targeted in part at kids

Jack Bauer, Devonport, Tasmania

Hard to imagine that any reasonably sane person could pay any attention to this drivel. Religion is the absolute scourge of this planet. Give it up folks, learn to think for yourself. You'll be MUCH happier!

Steve Adair, delta, BC Canada

I don't think Iron Age mythology (with lots of Bronze Age bits...that no-one talks about much because they're a bit embarrassing) should be taken too seriously :)

Joey O'Neill, Hobart, Tasmania

The big question is: Is sex so important? Seems to me to be reading a lot of immature and childish commentary on something that we all have in our nature. Why make a big deal about it. And, anyhow, what advice can Bishops give on sex if they don't (officiallly) practise it. It's as annoying as back seat driving from someone who hasn't got a driving license.
Why doesn't the Pope get married?

leo bassi, madrid, spain

I think people are just sick of the church constantly telling people how they should live. If you follow that faith then you dont need a constant reminder of whats required of you from that faith. Its just so very, very annoying .... I dont need the repetitive "YOUR SINNING YOUR A SINNER" bull.

Stefan, Kansas city, MO, USA

Why all the anger against the Church? The Church can "dictate" moral behavior, and say what will likely happen to those who who behave otherwise (including those among the clergy), but it doesn't force it on anyone. There are no armed priests forcing actors to keep their clothes on. They are giving moral counsel, which is exactly their job. All are free to ignore it., in this life anyway. If you don't like it, don't listen.

Joe, Phoenix, AZ, USA

'Leave well alone !', said the actress to the Bishop...

Yves Ferrer, Algoz, Portugal

I am amazed the people do not think the successors of the Apostle's - those who Jesus selected to preach and teach the faith - should have anything to say about our eternal life. I thank God every day for the Shepherds who will speak and preach the truths of our faith. They are trying to do what Jesus commanded them to do - to bring all souls to Heaven. But hen again, many turned away from Jesus - the Savior- and didn't listen to Him. I am ourtraged when our Bishops do not speak out. God bless our faithful Bishops and our Pope - please pray for them daily.

Maryanne, Pittsburgh, PA

Cesar Montalvo, you haven't been listening. There is no more consistent voice on the face of Earth than the Vatican.

Jim, Seattle, WA

Cesar Montalvo, of Texas, incorrectly asserts that the Catholic church does not say anything about the Iraq war. They were the first major religious group to come out against it. Even though I am not Catholic, I have investigated their beliefs and teachings. They have a "whole package" of teachings. Anti-porn, anti-war, anti-abortion. Just about anti anything that is to reduce humanity to animals, or interchangeable and replaceable parts.

While I disagree on some of their teachings, they do have a good reason for most of the conclusions they come up with.

Dennis, Omaha, USA

Never forget-God gave us paradise out of His superabundance of love for us, but we blew it.
We are here to do His will, not our own. The national anthem in hell is "I did it my way.".
God has a very special place for us when we die, or when He returns. It's coming quicker than you think.
The devil came for three reasons to steal, kill and destroy (us and our relationship with Him and each other).
The devil can appear as an angel of light. He is much more clever than the lot of us put together. Watch your own behavior always & in all ways. "the closer we get to sin, the more it becomes unrecognizable."
Once you realize the depth of your blessing, then maybe you will be able to realize the depth of your sin.
You came in the world naked and alone with God, you will be exiting the world the same way. Only the virtuous person can be happy in this world whether they are married or celibate.
"Know thyself" and "Moderation in all good things."
Start forming Christian communities. JO

James, New Jersey, USA

What a bunch of hypocrits ! Here they are these Bishops raising hell about a dang movie while at the same time don't say a word about injustices being committed presently to the world's poor, the Iraq war, etc. , etc. etc.

Cesar Montalvo, Pflugerville, Texas

Ah, the church!! with its old white celibate men poking their noses into everything!!! pleeeeze.......sex scenes are here to stay, and while not always done in fairly good taste, they will endure; unless people stop watching them,,,,and I don't think that's gonna happen.........I'd rather see such scenes done with 'implication' as someone said, but sometimes they're just not done that way...as for the church,,,,,,,stick to religion and leave your unwanted opinions about the cinema out of it!!!

BEN GREGO, COLUMBUS, USA

the cattholic. church want to control the people like they did under Franco never again

Rosa Cecco, ediburgh, scotland

This is totally rediculous coming from any person in Italy. Even the stupidest talk show or qiuzz show is "adorned" by Very Young Women Wearing Close To Nothing. The Italian verision of Neighbours have all female characters talking with a "sexy" fawn.

Juma, london, uk

Oh dear this isnt the start of extremist fundamentalist Christians....

Adrian, aldershot, england

Thank you, "Nathan, Inverness" for saying so succinctly exactly what I was going to. I was starting to think the world had gone mad, where the only restriction on freedom of speech was that imposed on people with religious convictions.

Meg, Pembs,

Robinson wrote: "I don't think Medieval moral codes have any place in modern societies, where people have sex for pleasure, more so than simply to reproduce."

I'm afraid that you misunderstand the Catholic Church's teaching on sex. The Church affirms that authentic sexual expression should respect both the LIFE-giving and LOVE-giving dimensions of the sexual act in the context of the permanent commitment of marriage between a man and woman. Sex which is willfully closed off to either of these dimensions is viewed as deeply damaging to human persons and the to their relationship because it does not reflect the full and generous gift of the whole self (including one's fertility) to another which is expressed in the bodies of the spouses. This type of sex really amounts to a lie in the language of the body, since the sexual act represents a full gift of self through the body, but in reality an important part of the "self" (the power to create new life) is deliberately withheld.

Gordo, Manchester, CT

Christ set up bishops in His only ONE Church to guide us on our way to heaven. They have guided all men of good will and will continue to do so up to the end of time. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the ONE Church of Christ, the Catholic Church built on the apostles united together with Peter, the first Pope.

Joe Zammit, Paola, Malta

Unbriddled sexual activity is the major cause of violence against women.
The Church has been slow to condemn it in the past 30 years.
So good on them for finally getting back on track.
it's long over due.

Helen Mack, Atlantic City, New jersey USA

It seems to me that we should expect and appreciate it when our religious leaders speak out on the issues of the day. I am sure it is not neccessary to a movie to have all the imagery of sex when it could just as easily be implied. If you want to see sex acts they make those type of films in the (XXX) genre.

m. gilbert, Lavergne, Tennessee

Rowan Williams is not a Catholic.

Mike, Dallas, TX,

Unfortunately, what you mean is that he is NOT A ROMAN CATHOLIC. As an Anglican, he believes in the "the Holy CATHOLIC CHURCH". Catholic means universal!

M. Cawdery, Portadown, UK

Christ taught us that he was the truth, the light and the life. As we have divorced ourselves from him, we find only deceit, darkness and death. Take a look around....seems about right to me.

Baz, Sterlinjg Heights, , Michigan

Actually, in response to c chapman, italy, why wouldn't religious organizations have every right to express their opinion? You may not agree with it, but they have every right to it. I find it rather funny that the fact that this religious organization has requested that actors think carefully before portraying sex without any attached strings of "love and tenderness" is viewed by the previous commenter as "the right to dictate to the whole population as to how they behave." Hmmm...perhaps this commenter has not yet sat under or been ruled by a real dictator.

Cara, Washington DC, USA

Dear God -- save me from religion and religious people.

Ian Williamson, Manchester,

Amanda, I am impressed to say the least. May God bless you! I agree with the Church. Too many times movie directors have used erotic scene when none should be needed. Their intent is to add shock value to sell their movies. I am one who has been tainted by this, I have felt the cheaping of sex between a man and a woman and feel that movies have influenced my feeilngs. The Catholic Church realizes this is effecting a very beautiful and wonderful gift from God, sexuality, and she has a moral obligation to speak out. While it may look like a lone voice in the desert, we Catholic join our bishops and Pope and decry the abuse of this wonderful gift. Can you guys tell a story without glorifying sex outside of marriage? Can you not glorify a degerate act such as homosexuality? Let's pray for an end to this and for the Mother Church to speak out in the name of Jesus.

Chuck, Jacksonville, FL USA

I would like to say that I welcome the Vaticans comments on the sex scenes in this movie and its attempt to remind actors of their responsibilities in regard to their art and their own souls...I do not understand why some people get all worried about these comments from the Church...why do they care what the Church says if they dont care for its truths and right to opinions...surely, their are many voices in the world and the Church is just one of many...seems to me they get irritated because they dont want anyone reminding them of the decay of society or their own actions...we are all totally free to do as we please..so why not let the Church have its say...I welcome more of it! Anne Moulding Brisbane, Australia

Anne Moulding, Brisbane, Australia

I don't think celebate priests really are the best people to be handing out sex advice to the population. Where they do so in, say, Africa, we see their actions contributing directly to an increase in HIV and population growth out of control (contraception is evil, right?). I don't think Medieval moral codes have any place in modern societies, where people have sex for pleasure, more so than simply to reproduce.

Robinson, Cambridge, UK

Honestly, the Church can't have it both ways. They want to condemn the bringing of unwanted children into the world as unnatural but prolonging our lives thru medical intervention is ok.

Natural death would mean having no interference from another human being and allowing God to take us when he/she deemed it was our time. Why do we get to decide to keep living thru medicine/life support and yet we can't make a decision about keeping a life force out of this world for whatever personal reasons we may have?

Me, cork,

I find it ironic when sexual libertines express disdain for the Church because some of her clergy engaged in sexual misbehavior. Who is being hypocritical exactly? The Catholic Church has always taken a very strong stance in its teaching on the sacredness of sexuality. The same cannot be said for those who advocate for the abdication of virtually all moral principles pertaining to "sexual expression".

So "Bravo!" to those who spoke out! Much of the work and profit of the movie industry is predicated on a philosophical hedonism which defines the meaning of life primarily in animalistic terms involving the pursuit of pleasure at any personal or societal cost. (Although that may be entirely unfair. There are some things even an animal would not do for money!). This worldview is largely responsible for the cultural crisis and decay we now face, which has even infected some in the Church. All Christians should endeavor to represent and support this industry's best qualities, not its worst.

Gordo, Manchester, CT

Why do religious organisations feel they have the right to dictate to the whole population as to how they behave? All religious organisations seem to have a patriachal stance, judmental and sexist and yet never seem to look at their own faults or have any humility. How can any sane, educated person believe in the garbage peddled by organised religions. Religious tracts were written by people living in a primitive unevolved society with no consideration for women. People still following these edicts seem in my experience to similarly have little respect for women; female genital mutilation, perpetual pregancy, lack of protection against AIDs are just 3 of the horrors still imposed by religion. For those correspondents who thinkj that only religion can give behavioural standards I recommend they look at ethics rather than religion.

c chapman, corridonia, italy

I wholeheartedly agree with the Roman Catholic Church's view on this.
But at the end of the day we all have the capability to distinguish right from wrong - a personal responsibility. No matter how much the media tries to blur that line, it is not subjective. If we open our eyes it becomes clear that the world many are prepared to leave for our children is one ruled by promiscuity and blurred morality. But what may seem harmless in the short-term often brings disaster in the long.

Dubem, London,

Travel N. Mann: Actually, it's the other way around--first the Catholic Church existed--then the Bible. The New Testament, that is. Jesus said He would found a Church, and send the Holy Spirit to the Church. Then the Church produced the Gospels, the Epistles, and Revelation. And the bishops eventually decided, based on the consensus existing throughout the Church, which Jewish and Christian writings deserved to be considered inspired. Saint Augustine said: I believe in the Church, not because Scripture tells me to, rather, I believe what the Scriptures say because the Church tells me they are inspired.

Amanda Reckonwith, Baltimore, Maryland / USA

Responding to Karl Bouldin.

When and please tell me HOW does ANYONE force "their opinions down our throats as they are so used to doing."

It seems that as soon as anyone from a religious background says anything remotely religious in public life he/she is vilified and attacked, almost without thought or reservation!

Please explain to me how you arrive at: "priestly classes can not be allowed to give the impression that they have a monopoly on the interpretation of right and wrong."
Please, I am tired of hearing this again and again but without any substanciation! Have you even thought about where your ideas of right and wrong come from?

A person of faith voices a moral conviction and everyone else jumps on them? Why...

If truth is relative then people shouldn't mind when someone else voices a different position. But people DO mind, so maybe truth isn't as relative as people hope it to be.

Keep it up church, it's your RIGHT to voice what you believe in!

Nathan, Inverness, UK

I think it's great that the Roman Catholic Church is speaking out against behavior that is against the teachings of their religion. Whether I personally agree or disagree with their stance is no matter, I admire the fact that they are no longer being hypocritical, teaching one thing and condoning another.

PR, Raleigh, NC

The Catholic Church would not have to make obvious proclamations if the Bible and Christ's teachings taught and to adhered. If read, the Bible correctly outlines the world's situation. Give it a try.

jeff sherman, Angola, IN

Whose throat has the church forced its opinion down, Karl? The modern church is not in the business of forcing its opinions on people, but it most definitely will express its opinions and not be silent. You can choose to follow them, or to accept a culture where sex is stripped of any sacredness or meaning beyond animal pleasure.

Rowan Williams is not a Catholic.

Mike, Dallas, TX,

Tis true, all of us have the right to say what we please. The bishops are saying what they believe, and apparently so is everyone else. Religion is a very volatile issue and should be approached very carefully by all. The church has had the reputation of voicing very unpopular views from time to time, and with this history should be taken with a very large grain of salt. Believe what you will, but when those who think they have a divine right to dictate, although through opinion, start trying to tell us how to live our lives, the line must be drawn. I support their right to speak theor views but also have a very narrow view on how they should word thier implications.

james, USA,

I'm not RC, but the church is exactly right in this case. Maybe they chose the wrong movie to take a stand on, but something should be said about gratuitous sex in films. We've been through it all before, and pretty much lost that cultural battle, unfortunately, but a new generation of moviegoers is coming up that doesn't even know its wrong. For their sake I'm glad the RCC spoke out.

Paul B., NY, US

I know what! Let's attack a priest for trying to bring morality into daily life. (I'm not a catholic)
Let's defend those who put sex on view for a buck. Now's there's something to be proud of.

Art used to take training, time, talent and effort and now it takes a zipper. What progress we've made.

Karl, Rock Island, IL

Unfortunately the Church is giving unrequested advise in more sensitive fields than movies in Italy and nobody seems to notice it. The CEI (the Italian Bishops Organization) is actively making politics under Pope's instruction and with the agreement of all political parties, including the left ones. This, along with Berluscony probably back in power in two months time, is one of the Italian plagues.

Andrea Fanelli, Rome, Italy

Funny, all the Church said essentially was that people should live up to the faith they claim to be a part of, not be a "cafeteria" subscriber to whatever parts of the faith you claim to be a part of. People talk about conscience, but the key words are "properly informed" which get ignored in general discussion. Anyone who claims, for instance, to be authentically Catholic, but thinks Abortion isn't morally wrong, isn't abiding in the religion they claim to be practicing.

Tony, Indianapolis, US/Indiana

The Pope is right. Movies have been on a downhill slide for decades. You don't need sex, violence and profanity to make a movie good or realistic. I much prefer the gritty dialogue of the movies of the 30's and 40's, because the writers had to use TALENT to write! There are no real talented writers out there today, because they rely on profanity and gratuitous sex to try and get a point across.

Kathleen, Sacramento, California, USA

Karl from california has a viewpoint about our laws and the place of religion that does not run in line with America's founding fathers. The below quote is but one example of the true American spirit. Since America is 85% Christian, well, John Adams put it best here:

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
- John Adams.

Ed, Hart, USA

SAS: If you seriously think the public comments of the Archbishop of Canterbury (quite a big noise over here) and senior Vatican bishops are mere "expressions of views", you are incredibly misguided. These people are figureheads for millions of people, by their very role they are there to guide and instruct their subjects. They don't have to be particularly aggressive in their language, the fact they are commenting at all is what raises eyebrows. People respond strongly because they feel strongly.

Chris, Worthing, England

Those who use their God given talents to promote lustful scenes will be held accountable. The media has a responsibility to promote healthy and moral themes. It is something we must all pray for.

Deacon Murphy, Queens, New York

The reactions from those opposed to any moral teachings from the Church are predictable, and are exactly why Paul told us to deal with scandal in the Church not by covering it up, but by expelling it from the community.

However, not ONE has said the Church is wrong in it's stance against "gratuitous sex scenes." The Bishops are not wrong on this issue. It is because critics can't find anywhere in the Bible or Church Documents that would show God's support of public exhibitions of sex that they attack the messenger.

Ad-hominem attacks, while entertaining, do not make an argument.

Stan B, Louisville, KY USA

Nanni Moretti is a brilliant film maker. I liked 'La Stanza Del Figlio' a lot. I hope I'll be able to see his new film soon.

Ben, Paris, France

True shepherds are supposed to be just that. Shepherds leading the sheep to safety away from danger, in this case "spiritual " danger. As an adult I can appreciate the dedication put into this. One can appreciate being protected from things that eventually will lead to a downward black spiral. "The Way" (like the song from the Bostonian Christian Artist Monica Ursino) to true love is Divine and not the way portrayed in the new"Calm Chaos" or the Old Tango in Paris...freedom from hurt/grief comes from God's Love which is the Only Way, to PEACE.

Alba

Alba, Boston, MA USA

mr Jack yes yes. I have the impression youhaven't read genesis.
I f we are sinners it's because of fruit of the tree of knowledge.
For God all knowledge was sin and only contemplation and adoration was good. Thus to develop the amazing technical feat called cinema we've had to sin for centuries. For this precise reason the Taliban hvae banned films. In a way, compared to catholic bishops they are more coherent. besides, aren't we all for a free market? If sex in films is bad, then people will not buy tickets... And the problem solves itself as adam Smith would have it.

leo bassi, madrid, spain

Did any of you watch the film, in the first place? Before you join the crusade to protect the Vatican at all costs, try to analyse more carefully the role it has in the Italian politics and its constant interference. Berlusconi himself is using it as a powerful tool to gather consensus, which is what another very influencial President overseas did at the time. Italy is a democracy under Catholic censorship. Protect your faith, if you wish to do so, but not an institution that has less and less to do with the ideals it's very hypocritically promoting.

Luca, Beijing, China

Ah, the misery of La Dolce Vita!

Dr. George A. Jocums , Nampa, Idaho, USA

Italy isn't in the USA Tom; it only has one church and that's the Catholic one.

Roo, London,

Religion is one of the best places to look for antequated and or obscure points of view without rational justification. The church has always been behind society. I don't see 1) why this comes as a surprise or 2) why anyone cares what some biships think.

M, new york, ny

Appealing to one's conscience does not constitute "interference".

Rick Harrell, Holland, Michigan

The Church upholds the dignity of human sexuality within the bonds of a loving and committed reltionship. It is precisely the reckless, superficial and self-graitifying use of others - as in "torrid affair" that results in so much personal suffering. At no time has the Church condemned the physical expression of love between married persons - but affirms a relationship of total self-giving. When someone uses sex they exploit the other and degrade the person. What the Bishops are saying is that the example shown to young people should be one of love bound by solemn vows of committment - not demonstrations of furtive, exploitative personal gratification. And remember, the Church has historically sponsored high forms of artistic expression, including human nudity - just take another look at Michelangelo's David or the Sistine Chapel ceiling!

Paul CB Schenck, MEV, York, Pennsylvania

Ridiculous. Is this some calculated move by the Bishops to make the opinions of the Catholic church appear relevant? This isn't the first time the church has attempted to constrict art and prevent stories from being told. I predict that this attempt will be about as successful as those that preceeded it were in the long run.

Brian, Cheverly, USA / Maryland

I personally hate the Catholic church because it masquerades as representative of the Bible when it fact it merely uses the Bible to justify its existence and control the affairs of men as much as possible. Having said that, as a believer myself, and someone who has lived both for the devil and subsequently for God, I endorse whatever anyone says that is in agreement with what God has made known to us in Scripture, whether a Catholic or Hannibal Lector is the one talking. Knowing that there is an external source of reality responsible for what we call "life" (may I call it "God"?) and knowing that this God has a nature, a moral nature, and knowing that we, as moral beings will have to return to he One who sent us, I am in favor of warning those who are living ignorant of this truth. If they ignore the plain warning, their fate is on their own hands. In other words, if my psycho neighbor calls me up at 3 a.m. to tell me my house is on fire, I may be annoyed but it would save my life.

Travel N. Mann, Seattle, USA,

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Karla, Margate, USA/FL

The Vatican is merely restating Christ's teaching on the sanctity of human sexuality and human life. No matter what abuses take place or who commits them these positions will not change. Be grateful for the wisdom and guidance given by the Vatican.

Robert Mole, Montreal, Quebec

Two things. One "bishop" Williams is a Protestant bishop. I realize that most Protestants dont understand this concept. To you it is as simple as Tom stated "go somewhere else and learning something different" (as opposed to a universal truth). Two, the bishops arent making it law or any such thing. They are simply chiding the actors for not thinking about the moral ramifications of producing the sex scene. As for the pedophilia and such, they Church as admitted its wrongdoing. Whether they did it or not, the act (just like the scene) was/is wrong (concept of Universal Truth, something I dont expect the Protestants to get).

J, Jackson, USA

You all delight in your SINS. You hate the Holy Catholic Church because it alone admonishes the sinners! How dare you attack the Mystical Body of Christ.

But then again, if the world hated Christ, then you, who are basking in your sins, you, whom Satan does not temp anymore, you will hate the Catholics too.

Stop Sinning! You have offended God so much already.

Nilo Cantonjos, Bayonne, NJ

Leo Bassi from Spain... Someone does not have to sin in order to learn. It is not a sin to fall in love. It is not a sin to read a good book like Moby Dick or the City of God. These are all ways of learning that do not involve sin. A man does not need to sin in order to learn. Sin causes distance from God. Because God is the source of all truth, if we are distant from Him, it follows that we have less truth, and if moving farther away from truth and goodness is what you call "learning," then you have reversed the very meaning of the word.

Jack, Yes, Yes,

I agree with Sam, why don't they complain about violence instead?

starling, Lancaster,

"The Church has no right to interfere" or something to that effect is NONSENSE. How does the Church have the power to stop cinema actors? No, they can't. But they DO have a right to speak out. What such critics are afraid of is . . . CHURCH INFLUENCE. Truth is its own reward. The critics are afraid that people will start to LISTEN and change their behavior (which applies to movie goers who create a market for sex-and-violence). So, let us have done with this criticism of the Catholic Church. Otherwise, your "enlightened" position makes you a . . . FASCIST! Yes, that's right. Fascist governments hated what the Church had to say in the 1930s and 40s. LIBERALS: you have become what you hate!

Bob, Nikiski, USA

"Check the facts about child molestation. The percentage in the Church is no higher then any other organization"

Shouldn't we expect priests in the Catholic church to have criminal statistics lower than that of the average "organization". Its this type of thinking that allowed the molesting to continue and the cover up to go on and on.

Tim, Santa Cruz, CA

A Wise Old Bird Lived In An Oak, The More He Heard, The Less He Spoke, The Less He Spoke, The More He Heard, Why Can't We Be Like That Wise Old Bird?

Something we should all ponder

Baja Bryan, Dallas, TX

The proliferation of gratuitous sex scenes coupled with unnecessary violence is both a reflection of our decaying dignity as a people as well as a harbinger of what is to come. As a thinking Christian who happens also to be a participant in society: STOP IT!

Josef, Nebraska, USA

My issue with this isn't that they oppose sex scenes, it's that they only oppose sex scenes. If you are going to oppose that, shouldn't you also oppose murder scenes? As far as i know church officials haven't complained about violence in movies. So what this complaint implies is that sex is worse than violence. Encouraging children to have sex is bad, but encouraging them to be violent is fine. I think there is a disconnect in priorities in the church, certainly in the US where you can show extreme violence at hours when children are watching tv, but a woman's breast pops out for a second at the superbowl and it's the biggest scandal in tv history.

Lokys, Durham, USA

If someone doesn't like 'gratuitious' sex, don't go see the film. Plain and simple. One group's of morals and beliefs should not be imposed on everyone else.
We are all grownups and responsible for our own actions and should be allowed to decided for ourselves what we and our children watch.
The church needs to stay out of everyone else's affairs-particulary those that subscribe to their beliefs.

emma, seattle,

Just because somewhere in your past you have failing...does not mean your obligation to teach what is right stops. Those of you who continue to condemn the whole of the Catholic faith should look into your own pasts and reflect on whether or not you should try to teach your children to stay away from drugs, or to not drive fast on a slick road...or even reprimand them for bad behavior because you had the same bad behavior in the past...following this stream of though, former gang members should not talk about the dangers of being in a gang...No former inmates should ever talk to people in jail about going straight and following the law...short sighted and ignorant. I believe it is about time for some entity to remind everyone that there is a price to pay...morally or civically...for outrageous behavior.

John, Knoxville, USA, TN

How could it come from God's Ten Commandments, if cinema did not exist in those times. Films are the result of Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Without sin there is no learning.

leo bassi, madrid, spain

Bravo Bishops!

Ann Landell, Reno,

The Italian bishops have not called for anything ridiculous--removing gratuitous sex scenes or having them in the context of love (I would have gone so far as to say in the context of marriage).

Michael, Owasso, OK, USA

For you who delight in rebuking the Church for the pedophilia scandal, notice they have taken responsibility for it. Let me ask. If you have a friend who wrongs you, but then asks forgiveness and changes his ways, would you still nag him non-stop about his offense? I hear it now: "but the Church is not my friend." If that's what you think, oh, how wrong you are!

Remember, the Church is the body of Christ. The Godhead is in heaven. We are all members of the mystical body of Christ. When any part of the body is unhealthy, the whole body is also unhealthy. If I have lung cancer, I cannot simply say, "My lungs are sick." I, as a whole person, am ill. We all need to teach and encourage each other to love God and to love each other. If we do that then we will not kill, steal, have meaningless sex (which is harmful to the mind and spirit and possibly the body in the case of diseases), or lie.... To heal the body of Christ (ourselves), we need to listen to and OBEY Jesus’ teachings.

Michael, Owasso, USA OK

The Church has no right to be interfering in the business of others. What they are SUPPOSED to be doing is helping to bring people closer to God through spiritual means to those curious masses, not dictating how to live outside the Scriptures themselves. The Catholic Church is a corrupted organization, so far away from the teachings of Jesus that it is repulsive. Forced conversion, the go ahead for the Holocaust, the Crusades...so should Catholics still go take back the Holy Land since it is ruled by non-Christian peoples? Give me a passage that says abortion is evil.
Now to the point in hand, there is a reason why movies that involve sex are rated R, because those whom are viewing the film understand the premise to what is happening behind it. If you had half a brain then you would not go see it because it will say why the film is rated R. Jesus stressed the ability to choose, not be told what to do think and do by a church that does not teach the way TO God.

Zach, Katonah, NY

So, the Catholic Church does not have the moral authority to tell people not to have sex in public, not to behave lower than the dignity that God has uniquely given man? The Catholic Church has every right to express what it believes and teaches - even when some of its own members do not adhere to the truths that have been defended through the centuries - uniquely by the Catholic Church. Man has been called by God to live in chastity and love - not to indulge in the excesses of our appetites.

And by the way, pederasty is less common amongst Catholics than it is amongst public school teachers. Before you defame an entire religion, get your facts straight.

sjd

SMC, New Haven, CT/USA

The more I hear coming out of the mouths of Catholics, the more I agree with them and realize the horrible folly of our modern times. The entire movie industry (including actresses and actors) is morally reprehensible. They have taken something that used to be special (like sex) and turned it into a spectator sport that is largely meaningless except to sell movies. Also, I have believed from a young age that there is no such thing as "pretending" to have sex in a movie. Married actors and actresses who engage in sex scenes in movies are cheating on their spouses, plain and simple. The whole entertainment industry is full of moral rot. It seems the Catholics are the only people left in this world (except Muslims) who regularly point this out.

Terri, Halifax , Canada

If all the actors did what the bishops asked...they the actors all would be out of work!!

Johann Dohmann,USA

JOHANN DOHMANN, EGF, USA,MN

Wouldn't an all powerful God have known the outcomes before any actions occur? Doesn't the catholic faith actually preach a limited version of Gods power to retain some of that power/authority for themselves? God's not going to let a loved being, who is somehow destined to change the world, be aborted and to think it would happen is dismissive. Wake up, either you have faith or you don't.

Jordan, Minneapolis, USA/ MN

The Catholic Church has had too much to say about everything. The world would be better off without it. As a second best option, the Catholic Church and the Pope should shut up and take care of their own house first.

Jim Valentino, Orlanco, FL

Graphic violence is far far worse than any normal sexual content could be.

Sam, Maidstone, UK

What concerns me as a citizen is people erroneously trying to "bundle up" abortion with the death penalty as if it's some kind of target . How numb.. The choices individuals make about their health, including abortion and assisted dying or whether they consent to eg vaccinations or other medications have nothing to do with criminal sentences like death penalties and hopefully never will, thanks to our wonderfully liberating, largely unwritten and therefore flexible UK constitution - This is our "sovereign wealth fund", however fuzzily defined eg an intangible asset embedded in each and every citizen. It will be better supported soon, hopefully, via the EU treaty and these "four red lines" our former P.M negotiated before he disappeared, probably for a better cup of tea.

Mrs.Josephine Hyde-Hartley, Bacup,

Mark O. what IS the Church's business that you say it should mind? Perhaps it is the business of saving souls and decrying moral filth and the corruption of the innocent?

And if that is its business -- which it is -- then what better thing can it do than express concern over gratuitous filth in popular media?

The Catholic church is minding its business. Thank God.

Juan Figuroa, Kent, WA, USA

Sly Stallone's fine film - Rocky Balboa - is an example. Don't laugh if you haven't seen it...it is a great bookend to the original Rocky - if you only saw the first and the newest you would get a nice story. There is a love story in Rocky Balboa, but it never get sexual...he never even enters her house or bedroom...yet the scenes are charged with that excitment one gets when one falls in love. I wish more filmmakers would do this rather than the easy way.

Peter, Alexandria, va

Expressing the views of the church is one thing. Attempting to legislate from the pulpit is entirely another.

That is what the Vatican has become about since the ascension of the new Pope.

WH, DFW, TX

Of course, blame the vatican, and italian bishops for saying what they are supposed to be saying about infelidelity. Did you really expect them to come out and support the movie? It would be an outrage if they did. They are supposed to be a moral guidance, and if they do not say what they should, are they not quietly condoning the conduct? The italian bishops have every right to their beliefs, and to state them. The film makers have their view, the bishops another. Their does not have to be a reconciliation, and their will not be. By seeing the posts here, I see that a few do not like the catholic church stating their belief system.

Robert Hardy, Philadelphia, Pa

.what the Italian Bishops appealed for comes from God's Ten Commandments. This world would be a much better place if we all obeyed God's Commandments.

Viola, Albuquerque, USA NM

If you don't like one Church teaches, go to a DIFFERENT church. There is another church on the next street corner that might just teach what you WANT to hear. You have a God-given right (obligation) to form your own conscience. Do so in an informed way. Don't bother me with your petty crap.

Tom Woods, Bilrmingham, AL USA

Responding to SAS I would have to say that I agree that the bishops have their right to say what they have to say. But they have no right to force their opinions down our throats as they are so used to doing.

We could get into a long battle here over the silliness that the 'Holiness' Williams inflicted on himself by some ill thought and even worse worded statements about Sharia law. That is not the point.

The law should be for all. The priestly classes can not be allowed to give the impression that they have a monopoly on the interpretation of right and wrong. There are too many sects, faiths and those of no faith for us to allow the decisiveness of religion to dictate our laws.

Karl Bouldin, San Jose, California

First the senseless media vilification of His Holiness the Archbishop Rowan Williams, now the attacks against bishops from Italy. People ought to recognize that people of faith are every bit as entitled to express their views as anyone else, and if the secular dogmatics care to disagree the least they can do is to express their views in a civil manner. Certainly the Italian bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury have said nothing particularly offensive, which is more than what can be said about their critics.

SAS, Buffalo, NY , USA