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In this week’s SojoMail, we’re taking a look at the best films of the year for inspiring faith and justice. Sojourners’ Jenna Barnett writes that the films we picked feature characters — real and fictional — who doubt, who sin, who ask for forgiveness, and who try to carry on and seek justice in a universe full of violence, corruption, and sickness, but also humor, love, and reconciliation:
One of the best cinematic monologues of 2024 is actually a sermon. Conclave, a mystery-thriller about the cardinals of the world gathering to elect the next pope, centers Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who has been tasked with leading the conclave. As part of his duties, he delivers the opening homily to more than 100 of the most influential Catholic leaders in the world — men with a wide range of views on, for instance, women’s ordination, interfaith relations, and LGBTQ+ rights. Understandably, Cardinal Lawrence’s colleagues advise him to play it safe. “The trick is to offend no one,” Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi tells him. Instead, Cardinal Lawrence decides to preach about something that will offend almost everyone in the room: the virtue of doubt. “There is one sin which I have come to fear above all others: certainty,” he says. “Certainty is the great enemy of unity. Certainty is the deadly enemy of tolerance. Even Christ was not certain at the end. … Let us pray that God will grant us a pope who doubts, and let him grant us a pope who sins and asks for forgiveness and who carries on.” The films we’ve rounded up feature characters — real and fictional — who doubt, who sin, who ask for forgiveness, and who try to carry on and seek justice in a universe full of violence, corruption, and sickness, but also humor, love, and reconciliation. Read the full list below. P.S. Before settling in for your upcoming movie marathon, please consider donating to Sojourners. Life may slow down for most people during the holiday season, but our work hasn't stopped — we’re still making sure the most vulnerable are protected, and still need your support to do it. Donate today to keep this work going!
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