A Far Cry from Catholic: Protest of Benedetta in New York City

BY STACIE HISERMAN

Blasphemous, pornographic, anti-Catholic. These are just a few of the words that describe Benedetta, a lesbian film which claims to tell the story of a seventeenth-century nun who develops a romantic love affair with another nun. The movie premiered at Alice Tully Hall in New York City at this year's New York Film Festival.

On September 26, 2021, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) gathered in front of Alice Tully Hall to peacefully but strongly protest the movie with a large banner stating: “We vehemently protest the blasphemous lesbian movie Benedetta that insults the sanctity of Catholic nuns,” and other smaller signs calling for reparation and an end to blasphemy.

Two reporters requested an interview with the protesters. The first question, as per usual, was: “Did you watch the movie?” to which Mr. John Ritchie, director of TFP Student Action, responded, “You don’t need to go in the sewer to know it smells bad.”

The interviewer insisted on the same question and received a second response: “If your mother was slapped, you would not go into the nuances of how hard it was or if it was really a slap, but would defend your mother. The Church has been attacked and we are here defending her.”

As they prayed rosaries and sang hymns, the protesters were joined by the public. The size of the protest was disproportionate to its widespread effect as those standing in line for tickets could not fail to take notice of the protest. Although the most common reaction received was cursing and laughter, some young passersby stopped to say they were inspired by the protesters’ counter-cultural stand for their Faith. ■