Society has developed different perspectives on the sexuality and morality. The issue of sexuality has stirred divided opinions amongst people of different beliefs and faiths in society, making the topic a challenge to tackle. The issue requires attention, and the younger generations need to be taught about it to avoid future conflicts and myths surrounding the issue. The school setup should accommodate the teaching of morality and sexuality to imprint and instill moral character and beliefs in the young generation (de Boer, 1). A person develops character based on their experience when growing up. They understand more about their sexuality as they approach their teenage years.
The church should be the backbone of any society, teaching morality and sexuality. However, the issue of sexuality is greatly ignored and averted in the church. The congregation is unwilling to discuss the issue openly because of contradictions and conflicts that arise from this topic. Many churches shy from this topic for fear of judgment from others on the church’s morality. The sexuality of the clergy has been under the spotlight of society in recent times. For instance, the sexuality of the clergy of the Catholic Church has been deemed doubtful and questionable due to an increase in cases of immorality tied to fathers and nuns in the church. Society has witnessed accusations of clergy members molesting their congregants and fellow clergy. According to an article by Wietse de Boer, there have been reported incidences of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church (de Boer, 1). Accusations of priests preying on nuns and other seminarians have been made in the church, confirming that sexuality in the church is still an issue that requires attention. This has raised a lot of suspicions and doubts about priests and the Catholic Church in general. Doubt is the root of many accusations. Without proper evidence and proof, the existence of doubt taints the reputation of an individual or institution to the point that their character is questioned by society.
In the film adaptation Doubt by John Patrick Shanley, the setting is a school in the Bronx run by the Catholic Church under the leadership of Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. Accusations of sexual abuse and immorality shadow the school. The primary victim of the accusations is Father Flynn due to his involvement with a young boy, Miller (Shanley JP, n.p). John Patrick Shanley, the author, utilizes a narrative as a parable to illustrate a point – what would you do when you’re unsure? (Shanley JP, n.p). That is the play’s first line, and every character has a moment once they are unsure or have reservations about anything. And their reactions to it propel the story forward. The movie makes the audience doubt whether they would label Father Flynn as guilty or innocent based on their observation of the film.
In the film, Sister Aloysius is doubtful of the character of Father Flynn and his relationship with Miller. She sets out to find proof and quench her doubts. She accuses the priest of preying on the young boy making his character in the school questionable. In the beginning, she is not sure about the relationship between the priest and the young boy. Still, after time investigating the issue, she is confident that the priest has an inappropriate relationship with the boy. “Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustainable as certainty”, says Father Flynn during one of his preaching (Shanley JP, n.p). The Sister’s feelings about the priest’s character serve to give her certainty about her doubts. She is sure that the priest is a sexual predator even without proper proof. She lets her feelings and accusations from others, such as Sister James, define the relationship between the priest and boy. This depicts how human beings easily judge without proper proof and based on feelings and doubts.
However, it is hard to ignore the chances of the accusations being true. The audience is left to argue and determine whether the character of Father Flynn is guilty or not. Evidence of sexual predation in churches in the media gives the accusations a basis. The relationship between the priest and the student may be deemed questionable, but the priest is innocent until proven guilty. The priest has a closer relationship with Miller than other students in the film. This is the primary concern that makes Sister Aloysius suspicious and doubtful. Sister James terms the priest as the boy’s protector, which makes Sister Aloysius more suspicious since all students require the same treatment (Shanley JP, n.p). She uses this to justify her doubts and pushes the father to accept the accusations against him, making his reputation in the church and the school. The accusations, however, do not necessarily make the bond between the priest and the student inappropriate since there are cases where students might require special attention and guidance.
Human beings require guidance and closure. Miller lacks guidance at home. His father abused him at home, and school was the only place he could get support since his mother could not provide emotional or even physical support (Shanley JP, n.p). Father Flynn steps up to be his mentor and friend. As a priest, Father Flynn carries out his duties of offering support to Miller when he needs him. The allegations of sexual predation against him show how society sees the church on matters of sexuality. Society is quick to judge whenever there are doubts about a certain clergyman’s morality. Father Flynn is innocent at heart and can only be proven guilty if Sister Aloysius has substantial proof of sexual abuse.
In the school, there are more nuns than male staff. This makes the issue of sexual predation a concern to Sister Aloysius. She feels that there might be mischief if two people of different genders meet anywhere within the school compound. She is against the male staff and always questions every move they make. The nun goes out strongly to have the priest resign, and the boy is expelled from the institution. This clearly shows how morality in the church and school is an issue. Male staff is watched closely, making them easy victims of accusations whenever any doubt arises (Shanley JP, n.p). When Father Flynn has a chat with the young boy in the rectory, Sister Aloysius raises suspicion and questions the priest. She is naïve and arrogant. She uses her powers to suppress her staff, including the priest.. “No, Sister, no third party. You and I are due for a talk. You have to stop this campaign against me.” Says Father Flynn (Shanley JP, n.p). The Sister shows her naivety in the scene because she does not believe that people of opposite genders should meet without monitoring.
Sister James, who has witnessed interactions between the priest and the young boy, eventually believes that the priest is innocent. She had been Sister Aloysius’ informer but changed her stand. She speaks her mind and argues with Sister Aloysius since she believes the latter is using her powers to control everyone in the compound. Sister James’ change of heart shows that the allegations against the priest lack evidence. She believes that the priest is doing his work as a father figure to the boy. She boldly argues with her superior and states, “I don’t think Father Flynn did anything wrong” (Shanley JP, n.p). This angers Sister Aloysius because she expects Sister James to side with her.
Sister Aloysius accuses Father Flynn of homophobia. She believes that the priest has sexual relations with a person of his gender. This is clear when he questions the priest about the events in the rectory. “What happened in the rectory?” She asked. “About what?” She further asked. “Private matter.” Father Flynn answered. “He’s twelve years old. What could be private?” She insisted (Shanley JP, n.p). This clearly shows that she had doubts about the priest’s sexuality. Although this scene may raise suspicion of pedophilia, it is clear that the allegations were based on homophobia since the Sister did not question the priest’s interactions with the girls as much as she did with that with the boy. The people of the Catholic Church have condemned homophobia since ancient times.
In an interview with Pope Francis concerning homosexuality in the church, James Martin translates the Pope’s words and quotes, I’d prefer them define it as “rejection of persons in the church,” rather than “rejection of the church.” The church is a mother who gathers all her children under one roof. Consider the story of the guests at the feast: “the just, the offenders, the rich and the poor, and so on.” A “selected” church, one with “pure blood,” is a sect, not the Holy Mother Church (Martin & J, 1). This shows that homosexuality is condemned by the people but not by the church. The sexuality of the priest should not be a concern but rather his relations with his students. Sister Aloysius’s accusations spoil the priest’s reputation and may force him to resign from his duties. The accusations against him do not make him guilty unless proven otherwise.
The film does not have a direct answer if Father Flynn is innocent or guilty but based on the calmness and kindness delivered to his student, the priest is innocent. Miller has been molested by his father and has shown signs of how he interacts with others (Shanley JP, n.p). Had the priest been abusing him, he would not be going to him for assistance.
Doubt is the root of many accusations and conflicts in society. Without proper evidence and proof, the existence of doubt taints the reputation of an individual or institution to the point that their character is questioned by society. Although the priest’s relationship with a male student is doubtful, the lack of solid evidence makes all the allegations null. The priest steps up to become a father figure to a victim of abuse and develops a connection with him. They might share some secrets to preserve their relationship and protect the boy from further trauma and anguish, but that does not make the secrets questionable. Miller might need guidance more than any other student in the school, and a father figure is what he needs rather than a priest or teacher.
Sister James had doubts in the beginning but later understood that the priest was acting out of empathy for the lonely boy. This shows that all the claims and accusations against the priest have no proof, and Sister Aloysius misuses her power to manipulate others against the priest and the boy based on her feelings. When Sister Aloysius threatens to convince parents to testify against the priest, she becomes an image of how people use their powers to force allegations on others without proof. She feels inevitable, but the film shows that all her claims are out of doubt. The film depicts doubt in society on various matters and how it is handled. Many false accusations have made people lose their reputation and dignity. The priest is an example and is innocent until proven guilty.
Works Cited
de Boer, Wletse. “The Catholic Church And Sexual Abuse, Then And Now | Origins”. Origins, 2019.
Martin, James, and S J. “In Brief Letter, Pope Francis Speaks To LGBTQ Catholics”. Outreach, 2022.
Shanley, John Patrick. Doubt. Miramax, 2008.