--- Pish Posh.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Franciscan friars in New York loved Mel
Gibson's hit movie "The Passion of The Christ," so much
they are petitioning him to follow-up with a film biography of the
order's founder, Saint Francis of Assisi.
More than 40,000 hits have been registered on the Franciscan Friars of
the Renewal's "open letter and respectful
petition" addressed to Gibson, and more than 8,000 readers have filled
out the online petition at www.franciscanfriars.com.
Father Glenn Sudano, head of the community of 82 friars in the New York
metropolitan area, had the petition posted after seeing "The Passion,"
believing it would be a natural sequel and high time for a realistic
portrayal of Saint Francis.
"They dip these people in plaster," Father Glenn said about perceptions
of the saints. "They are much more powerful, more
interesting, more engaging, much more human."
Come on. Yes, St. Francis did the wine, women and song bit rather well, but if "complete conversion" is what you're looking for look no further than this guy.
He had a girlfriend, a wife, a son born out of wedlock, was a mama's
boy---then he joined a cult before struggling with his faith, the
politicking of said faith, and becoming a leader in the Church. DRAMA
GALORE! And an interesting story about faith, too. St. Francis, God
bless him, always seemed a little "too good" to me. He never had doubts
about his faith. He never seemed to wonder if he was taking the right
path. Augustine, however, was human---and that's what I like about him.
Besides, if you're going to make a movie about Augustine, you have to
have some sex. After all, this was the man who said, "Give me chastity,
but do not give it yet." You don't get a whole lot of that with St.
Francis. His womanizing was strictly for pleasure. Augustine seemed to
have a deep respect for all things female. Make a movie about him and
you'll---gasp---actually get to have women characters in a Bible movie
who aren't one dimensional, solely supportive creatures. Augustine. Not
Francis. PLEASE.