Priests show well on screen

By PETER FEUERHERD- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

"I came down here to keep a promise."

Those are the initial words from Rev. Pete Barry, played by Karl Malden, in his famous "Sermon on the Dock" from the 1954 film "On the Waterfront." Father Barry's tough, no-nonsense, yet holy priest is credited with being perhaps the most vivid of all film portrayals of a Catholic priest in an American film.

Despite offensive exceptions, many other movies have shown priests in similarly believable roles as humble heroes. Indeed, in his recent letter proclaiming the "Year of the Priest," Pope Benedict XVI wrote, "In today's world, the lives and activity of priests need to be distinguished by a determined witness to the Gospel."

The real "Father Pete Barry," Rev. John M. "Pete" Corridan, was known as the "Waterfront Priest". He gave a good portion of his life initiating labor reform efforts at the New York dock, then run through an ingrained system of corruption, kickbacks, violence and extortion.

Father Corridan, a Jesuit, left the docks in 1957, becoming a college professor and later a hospital chaplain. He died in 1984.

Father Corridan's story is a reminder that the promise of priesthood isn't confined to a church sanctuary. In a pivotal scene of the film, Father Barry exhorts exploited dockworkers to free themselves from corruption and violence. In a memorable sermon, surrounded by workers on a dock near where a man has been murdered, he equates their struggles with those of Christ. "Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. They better wise up," he tells the men. (PF)

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