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Out of context: Reply #5059
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"Saint of 9/11" celebrates the life and ministry of a real winner: Father Mychal Judge, the gay Franciscan priest and Chaplin of the Fire Department of New York who died while ministering to victims of Sept. 11 as the World Trade Center was under attack. Narrated by Sir Ian McKellen and produced by the nonprofit rights group Equality Forum (which previously produced "Jim in Bold"), it's packaged as a film experience that commands interest and respect. Maybe more. Awards perhaps, but answers definitely from leaders of the Catholic Church, who denounce gays as sinners and damned souls, but must now explain how one of its most heroic priests was, oh, yeah, by the way, gay.
Despite the church's official policy on homosexuality, Father Judge continued to embrace the faith. As "Saint of 9/11" shows, he strenuously supported gay Catholics by saying Mass for the outlaw group Dignity and giving spiritual and emotional support to gays dying of AIDS. "We were not abandoned," recalls Dignity member and friend Brendan Fay in the film. "Mychal was there with us as part of the community."
But Father Judge was also an unflagging friend and chief spiritual advisor to New York's firefighters. One of the most touching things about watching "Saint" is seeing so many big, tough straight guys fight back tears as they recall their chaplin's inspiring deeds and friendship. A fire department may be an organization comprised of hundreds of heroes, but it's clear who these New Yorkers regarded as theirs.
And it's also obvious from this documentary that, despite Rome's policy on homosexuality, Father Judge embraced his faith and ministry with gusto, forgiveness and without fear. There's a bone-chilling scene proving so in the first few minutes of this film. Soon after viewers are informed of who he was and how he died, they meet Father Judge in an old video clip. As he fumbles nervously with the cords of his friar's robe and looks hauntingly into the camera, he confesses how he'd like to meet his maker: "I've always wondered what my last half hour is going to be. Will it be doing something for someone? Trying to save a life?"
On hand to celebrate Father Judge's life this Thursday will be a host of distinguished folk at the Tribeca premiere, including Ian McKellen, novelist Malachy McCourt, journalist Andrew Sullivan, actor B.D. Wong, playwright Terrence McNally and legions of Father Mike's firefighter disciples. Rumor has it that Robert De Niro and wife Grace might be there, too.
"He had that direct line to God and therefore the church couldn't get in his way," recalls a former Jesuit priest about Mychal Judge in "Saint of 9/11," which could spark a firestorm of controversy among conservative Catholics. However, ex-President Bill Clinton says, "Most of us must be like Father Mike."