About Us Student Handbook
The Golden Compass
Some Important Information About the Movie
Dear Parents,
I'm writing to you about something that is going to take place on December 7, 2007. On that day, a film called "The Golden Compass"
will open in theaters. Never before in our time, I believe, has darkness stooped so low as to snag the souls of people - young and old -
from God, the Church and families.
The film is based on the first book of a trilogy called His Dark Materials. The Director of Religious Education for the Diocese,
who works in my diocesan department, gave me copies of the books to read for myself. The trilogy was written by an atheist named
Phillip Pullman, who has stated that he is out to destroy all levels of authority: parental, government, church and God. In the books,
he specifically writes that the Catholic Church must be destroyed. In the movie, the church is not mentioned. It has been santized and called
"the magisterium." On the Friday after Thanksgiving, I took my Godchildren to see a delightful movie called "Enchanted." During the previews
for coming attractions, the trailer for The Golden Compass was shown. I was disturbed by what I saw. The movie presents action and characters
geared to attract youngsters into a fantasy world. In fact, my Godson asked if I would take him to see it. Needless to say, I told him
we would not go to see it. Then I had to explain why.
After seeing the trailer, I believe that the movie has been directed to fool youngsters and their parents about all the dangers involved
in worshipping demons. Pullman hopes people will buy his trilogy as gifts for children. At the end of the trilogy, the children
kill God, and everyone can do as they please.
If you read the first book, The Golden Compass, you will find disturbing that the story starts out with each child having a demon (an
animal) as a best friend. The Catholic Church is portrayed as the enemy of the children, of all human goodness and happiness. The
entire trilogy labels the Catholic Church as the enemy because priests cut children's demons off them by using something like a guillotine.
The children then wander around like half-dead zombies. As a consequence, the children are encouraged to fight the Church.
The first book is the tamest of the three. However, the trilogy centers upon the following theme, given in an interview by the
author. He stated, "I want to kill God in the minds of children... I want them to decide against God and the Kingdom of Heaven."
Is that what you want for your children and grandchildren? The only way to stop this kind of evil is through the pocketbook. Don't buy
the books as presents, and don't go see the movie. Talk to your children about the goodness of God, and show that goodness by what you say and do in your
own lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read this note. May God always be pleased with us.
Sincerely,
Msgr. Michael
