Movie and other Media Age Ratings for Children Not OK

Is it really deemed to be of no effect that a 5 yrear old has viewed and played age innapropriate console games and seen a movie aged PG13+, meaning, 'Consider whether you're going to let you're 13 year old+ watch this'....and means not suitable for a 5 year old. See Commonsense Media for reviews.

People with children aged 16 had walked out of a 13+ movie due to the total lack of suitability for children. I then watched some clips and this confirmed that this is not a film I would have in the house, even for adults. This was echoed in the reviews by several parents.

But amazed me was the number of people who had actually taken under 13 year olds and then complained about it...to quote one, ''A.N. other' actress oiled up and sexy was not what my 6 year old needed to see'.

Whether it was sexualised content, violence, swearing or plain bad content/plot/role models, what is the shock in finding a film rated much older than the child unsuitable?

It goes on from there...'Bloody war violence', certificate 18 is not suitable for 5 or 6 year olds and really, how can anyone misunderstand why not?...Because of stupidity, lack of responsibility or just complete lack of consideration, to the child they are exposing it to.

The incidence of children being exposed to usuitable media is now a huge problem. What is going to cure the problem of the lack of supervision, and the word, 'No' from feeding the 'supply and demand' chain of the media makers from making the garbage and raking it in?

I can say 'No', but am prevented from protecting this child when he is not with his responsible and loving family.
Must be a problem echoed in courts up and down the country, courts that are not receptive to the problems which have created the Big Society and questions as to why today's youth is so disaffected in parts...maybe it is not to do with Broken Britain, ie broken families, but the actual quality of care the child gets in the clutches of those who do not really give a hoot about the effects on children or what they take in from the media.

Another wave of screwed up kids on the way, Prime Minister......I wonder what the verdict will be in 10 years time, and will the law be the same ass as it always has been.

Being Brave Souls and solving this would pave the way for better things to come, would that Doing the Right Thing was the real issue, instead of that which gains in a monetary sense from the European Union...oh, and lawyers lining their pockets, plus judges who do not have the blindest clue (should they for one minute care) about the connotations of what is to become of the children they make sweeping judgements about in court.

Priesting in a New World

This article (see below) is over a year old, but was printed off and inserted in today's bulletin at Mass. It must be a reflection of how our parish priest must be feeling (and he always does seem anxious, tired and overworked. Having recently had surgery, he is still running 3 parish churches. Wow, is all I can say, as I have no idea what this involves, but here we have an insight;

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Priesting in a new world
By Fr Brendan Hoban

'A RELIC of the Curé (parish priest) of Ars is coming to Knock.

The Curé (or St John Vianney) was a parish priest in Ars, near Lyons in France, who was renowned for his piety – particularly for spending long hours in the confessional. He struggled to reach the academic standards in the seminary and, for some years, there was a doubt about whether he would ever be ordained.

However, after ordination and an appointment to Ars, he became famous throughout France and the Christian world. At one point the number of pilgrims coming to Ars had reached 20,000 a year.

A simple, gentle, patient and cheerful man, he was canonised in 1905 and proposed as given the title ‘Patron Saint of Parish Priests’. He’s in the news again because last June, when Pope Benedict opened ‘The Year of Priests’, he again proposed John Vianney as a model for priesthood. Hence, the decision to celebrate the Year of the Priest by bringing his relics to Knock and other venues.

I must admit my heart sank when I heard that the Curé of Ars was re-proposed as a model for priests in 2009. While I have nothing but admiration for the saintly Curé, what worked as a model for priesthood in 1905 hardly responds to the needs of our vastly different context for priesting in the 21st century.

It seems starkly obvious that dusting off a century-old model and refurbishing it for modern times wouldn’t work with the old Ford Model T and won’t work with the gentle Curé. What, . Trying to ride the same horse going in different directions.

We are expected to be approachable, sensitive, caring and available, inspiring leaders, competent administrators, good organisers, able preachers, involved with schools, organisations, committees, visiting the housebound, kind to the old, concerned about the young, sensitive to everyone and to be available to everyone all the time.

On top of that we have to deal with a series of complex pastoral situations, expected to respond to the complicated needs of people in the world today while at the same time implementing a series of often impractical norms and regulations from bishops who are at a safe distance from parish life and officials in Rome who never worked a day in a parish in their lives. And then if the priest doesn’t get it right a self-appointed nest of aggressive reactionary ultra-conservative Catholics are at hand to point out the errors of our waWe are caught in a kind of stereo world, and are not quite sure where the sounds are coming from or even sometimes what they mean. On the one hand we listen to ‘the signs of the times’ and respond to the needs of his people, including openness to lay involvement and sensitivity to people’s experiences and needs; and, on the other hand, we operate a hierarchical and patriarchal system of implicit control. Trying to ride the same horse going in different directions.

We are expected to be approachable, sensitive, caring and available, inspiring leaders, competent administrators, good organisers, able preachers, involved with schools, organisations, committees, visiting the housebound, kind to the old, concerned about the young, sensitive to everyone and to be available to everyone all the time.

On top of that we have to deal with a series of complex pastoral situations, expected to respond to the complicated needs of people in the world today while at the same time implementing a series of often impractical norms and regulations from bishops who are at a safe distance from parish life and officials in Rome who never worked a day in a parish in their lives. And then if the priest doesn’t get it right a self-appointed nest of aggressive reactionary ultra-conservative Catholics are at hand to point out the errors of our ways or report us to our bishop and to Rome.

Who, in his right mind, would want to find himself trying to respond to such competing and conflicting expectations? And with little or no appreciation of or training for such complex and demanding work. And, at the same time, to be forever on duty – living over the shop, as it were – and often living isolated and lonely lives, while colleagues leave for more satisfying climes and bishops and popes lob advice at us from the far distance. Is it any wonder we have few vocations? Isn’t the big wonder not that so many have left the priesthood but that so many of us are still hanging in there? Is it any wonder that so many of us are tired, tired, tired?

On top of all of that priests have become bad news. Unfairly and discouragingly, though understandably, all priests have had to bear the burden and the stigma of the clerical child sexual abuse scandals, in a way for example that teachers haven’t to bear vocational responsibility for the failures of an equivalent tiny minority of their colleagues. And, of course, as the priest is the easiest clerical target to get on the public radar, we are now endlessly humiliated and disparaged in the media and, if the truth be told, the butts of endless jokes about our sexual lives.

Priests – many of them suffering from overwork, lack of energy, confusion and burnout with little sense of support in or understanding of their plight – are now beginning to wonder is there anyone left on their side anymore.

Last Sunday as I bought an item in a shop the owner took my money, gave me the change and then handed me €20 and said, “You’re having a hard time of it, buy something for yourself”. The sudden gesture of disinterested kindness left me speechless and afterwards as I examined my own attitude to it I was struck by how much it meant to me and how vulnerable I was.

To tell you the truth I don’t think Pope Benedict has any idea about what’s happening to priests in the world: that we’re struggling to pastor our people in a complex and difficult world where old answers make no sense to new questions; that we find ourselves in a place we’ve never been before and we wonder, sometimes fearfully, about when or if we will emerge from the bleakness; that we’re disappearing and will be effectively gone in 20 years, unless the priesthood is reimaged and re-invented for a different world; that we need to examine issues like the ordination of women, celibacy and priesthood; and that encouraging us to be like the Curé of Ars seems like a last straw that might break many a camel’s back. And many a priest’s spirit.

I don’t expect to be in Knock for the relics of the Curé of Ars. The implications are just too depressing to contemplate.'

......What a huge shame. The dissilusionment of the writer in this article is palpable. Having just read it and having never before heard of Fr Hoban, it appears that he is a strong voice and head of the Catholic Priest Association. The thought of no priests, and no Catholic church is a frightening thought, to me, and watching our congregation today, to many others. There are not many Catholic churches in our area, but they are well used and maintained. The priests do seem slightly strained and/or, 'at arms length' when you exchange words after mass. The parish priest I mentioned at first, who seems about to buckle under the pressure at any time, is the warmest and gentlest man you could meet. I guess the heavy burdens of the parish weigh heavily on him.

Pope Ratzinger is a very intelligent, educated man, and a prolific writer. It would seem that he needs to seriously look at the way things are 'on the street' and act on this.

Religious Relics - Treasures of Heaven (BBC4) - revised post

There was a stunning programme, which I watched on Sunday, having missed Mass for the first time in ages. It was about religious reliquary, and was on BBC 4, well worth a watch. It's about an hour long.

I was glued to it, but most most moved by the story of the assassination of Archbishop (The Most Reverend) Oscar Romaro of San Salvador, who spoke against the Salvadoran government in the 70's, when there was a major public uprising, savagely squashed by the government, who ordered the army to kill protestors out of hand. There is a clip of him quoting 'Thou shalt not kill' and telling soldiers they had no duty to obey an order which is against the law of God.

Romero was shot the next day in Church (24 March 1980), after speaking the sermon of the grains of wheat. The sermon was very apt, the grain of wheat may die but bring forth many sheaves of wheat. He knew he was about to die.

I have read more, and would like to devote a post to him, in the hope of introducing him to more people, as I unexpectedly was. The lady (interviewed in the programme, a scientist) who had much to do with preparing a shrine for him, containing his bloodstained alb and chasuble, was clearly very invested in him and said that she wanted people to be aware and to learn more about this man. There is an icon being made by a South Amerian artist which shows the story of his death; this entire shrine being a modern religious relic. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012248j. It's only on for 5 more days on iplayer.

PS One thing that did slightly irk me was that the presenter did state a couple of times that Catholics 'worship' saints. I think a huge chasm between the CofE and Catholics, created by Henry 8th and still remains to this day is founded on many myths and misconceptions about Catholic worship (which in essence is not really that much different to Cof E if we're talking about being Christian as opposed to anything else).

Please do note that the late Catholic Saint John Henry Newman started out as a Calvinist, became an Anglican scholar and high accademic/tutor at Oxford University, slating the Catholic faith as idolatrous and being degrading, but then on actually researching and becoming enlightened in the truth of the faith and the creed, converted to Catholocism.

Catholics are taught that we do not worship anyone but God (the Holy Trinity) and we indulge in the adoration of Our Lady, this is the reality. If we were to learn more about the truth of the differences between the Church divisions, and put aside the atrocities committed by anyone who claimed/claims religious cause, we may be far more successful in out efforts to gain in the ecumenical church today, which is what I think God is really aiming for.

I really think that if we are happy with out own beleifs and accept that others may have different ones, and that whoever we call God is the same one, then we would all probably argue alot less over something that God really did not intend us to argue over. I love the Catholic Mass and although I enjoy my son's CofE school Mass, I will stick to the Catholic Mass, I identify so much with it. But Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and the Muslim faith are all positive and wonderful if used in the right way. It's human fault that spoils religion, not religion itself.

New Beginnings, For me and our Bird table.

Hurrah, Thursday was my last day in my job, 24 years after joining on a YTS at 16 years old, I have broken loose. It was wierd, I was tense all week but on the last day, although felt lots of affection for my long time colleagues, no regrets or sadness. I felt more upset today about it if anything although not sad to not be going in next week!
I've been very busy watching and feeding the wild birds in the garden lately...a nest of chicks fell on the floor when my husband was tree pruning and to see them so tiny, scrawny and vunerable made my maternal hormones kick in like mad. Hence now the cost of feeding an increasing fan club of the bird table has become a little eye popping. In addition to this, the biggest fattest squirrel I've ever seen visited the other day. He had an undeniable grin on his face, amazed at his good fortune..it was as if he's happened upon an oasis. A squirrel surely can't do too badly in the wild, but easy pickings or what. Well, my baking disasters also end up on the table, it's great to see them being demolished and enjoyed. This would not be possible by human consumption.
The son of the big fat squirrel visited today too. He's smaller but not shy at all. I thought he was a bit cheeky so I knocked on the window to shoo him away. In addition to this, some bigger birds are coming and chasing away the little ones. I'm a bit concerned by this, as the table is really for the small birds and fledglings. There are some really tiny balls of feathers hanging on there much of the time. So need to research about a mini scarecrow to fit on a bird table, or a sign which says, 'Big bullies keep off!', in bird language. Hmmm.

New legislation for advertising?

I've just watched some videos on the next blog to mine..family videos where the author is unafraid to film his young grandchildren. It was wholesome stuff, and being in the US , no teenage cleavages on view or mini skirts for 7 year olds as you are constantly bomabarded with in the street in the UK. I am aware that there are unscrupulous and evil people out there who expose children, with and without the consent of parents. I would never film or identify my kids on my blog, or anywhere on the internet.

Apparently there are enough parents out there to have made a tiny impact on what is shown on tv and advertising. I have complained on a few occasions about advertising (as being too sexualising for children) and have only once made an impact. I got some adverse reactions to this by people who I feel were either too naive or inexperienced to gather the reasons for my approach to the complaint. According to what I have just heard, it's a matter of months before ther govenrnment enforces some stricter rules about what is shown in advertising and on tv. Amen to that, brother.

Benjamin Ferencz - SS Prosecutor

It's taken a few weeks to get back to the Sunday morning Radio 4 article that I listened to in awe. I could listen to this soundbite over and over, this man gives you the feeling of goodness and belief in the right things, makes you feel that you are not really on your own in your tussles with your faith.

I have no idea if this man believes in God but whether he does or not, he is truly good. At 91, his speech and articulation and intelligence, besides his self assurance make me feel like a gibbering fool. I could only ever hope to have this clarity of conveyance.

His description of the Nazi death camps were graphic, but even he said that words could never describe the horror, and it was like peering into hell. I've visited Anne Franks house in Amsterdam and watched the films there. I had to leave sobbing and will never forget what I saw. Even watching such films as Saving Private Ryan, where the boy dies, crying for his mother, are extremely emotional. At least he is surrounded by his friends who stroke his head and face and give him pain killers. Plenty die alone, calling for Mum, in agony. This has got to be one of the most huge anxiety for any mother (and there are plenty of others). God Bless all soldiers.

Gypsy Boy - Mikey Walsh

The Choice, on Radio 4, hypnotic listening this morning about a man who is a Romany gypsy but who lived a very hard childhood in his community because of the expectations and temper of his father. It was almost like going through therapy with him, as he answered questions about his life.

In short (and I will read the book, I've already flicked a couple of pages in Waterstones) the boy was expected to be a fighter like his con man father. The family had a reputation as fighters.
Reminded me of a couple if guys in the church the other week. The were tapping and chatting to everyone throughout the service. I was hoping that my son would not take this as being ok. One of them, in front of me in the line to Communion, turned and remarked that he's not seen us before, and asked if we were new. I just nodded & smiled and he replied, 'You'll get used to us....we're a Family', he emphasised, spreading his hands as if he might have instead meant the mafia..unfortunately, yes, the Romany community do get confused with bad 'uns, because the only contact the general community has with them is usually through the process of getting ripped off re. dodgy drive laying etc. and no other example shown. I'm sure this is a very disproportionate view.
Unfortunately for the boy, he did not live up to his father's expectations, and didn't respond to his father's 'toughening up' procedures as hoped. He is, in fact, gay, and could not have been worse placed as this society does not accept homosexuality. He had a really miserable time, although bitter sweeet as he still has much love and respect for his Romany community, although The Choice he made was to leave the unbearable endurances which were unending. Regular beatings were understandably wearing thin. He'd met someone who wanted to save him, although, he was only around 15+ years old and the man did not understand that to take the son of the hard man of the local Romanies would mean much misery for him. It took 3 weeks for him to give up and then he took Gypsy boy to another town and 'dropped him off'.

Now here is the remarkable thing. This boy had the Romany way entrenched into him. He was little educated. He had no-one and nothing. The boy got a job in a burger bar and went to the bank to open an account to have wages paid in. He had no former address. He explained his plight to the bank worker and she took pity and used her own address to get him an account, Bless her for that!!

He did not wallow, he got up off his backside and educated himself. He applied for a place at a Royal renowned arts and drama college and actually got in, flippin 'eck more than I could hope for with my stable background! He was trained for 3 years and wrote his book.

Hearing him speaking so low because he was sobbing was so very touching. I am a champion of the underdog, for life, having seen the struggles of my blessed parents. I have so much respect for him, and it just shows how amazing people with no priveliges and rotten role models can be the strongest. this man deserves health, happiness and success.