Archbishop calls for Fifty Shades of Grey movie boycott over its 'attack on Christian marriage'
Archbishop Dennis Schnurr from Cincinnati said the film directly contradicts 'God's design for self-giving love, marriage and sexual intimacy'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Archbishop has urged parishioners not to see the Fifty Shades of Grey movie because of its “direct assault on Christian marriage”.
Ohio Archbishop Dennis Schnurr sent a letter to priests urging pastors to speak out against the film’s “destructive message” to their congregations.
“We need to inform our people about the destructive message of this movie and to highlight the beauty of God’s design for loving relationships between a husband and wife in the bond of marriage,” he wrote in a letter on 4 February.
Schnurr added that the film’s storyline “is in direct contrast to the Christian message of God’s design for self-giving and self-sacrificing love”.
In the letter, which has since been posted on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook page, Shnurr said: “In the storyline, a young Miss Steele is urged to sign a contract becoming a sex slave and agreeing to an abusive and degrading relationship.
“This movie is in direct contrast to the Christian message of God’s design for self-giving and self-sacrificing love, marriage and sexual intimacy. The movie is a direct assault on Christian marriage and on the moral and spiritual strength of God’s people.”
The Facebook post originally appeared alongside an image asking Catholics to boycott the movie and send a $50 donation to a domestic violence shelter instead.
But a spokesman for the Archdiocese told news site cincinnati.com that the image had been posted by mistake by a staff member overseeing the page.
“I’m sure the archbishop would not think it’s a bad idea, but it’s not his idea. This is not something the archbishop has specifically has asked for,” he said.
Schnurr’s appeal to congregations to boycott the film comes after domestic violence protest groups in the UK have urged audiences not to see it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments