In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine Gramick's Journey of Faith

2004
1h 22m

IMDb RATING

8.7/10

YOUR RATING

In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine Gramick's Journey of Faith (2004)

In Barbara Rick's acclaimed documentary, "In Good Conscience," a most unlikely and very funny rebel Â— an American nun Â— finds herself at the center of a human rights storm with leaders of one of the worldÂ’s most revered institutions, the Roman Catholic Church.

This film chronicles the true story of Sister Jeannine Gramick, who is defying a Vatican edict that she shut down her compassionate ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, and silence herself permanently on the subject of homosexuality. Her battle takes her all the way to Rome and to the door of her key adversary over the years: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would become Pope Benedict XVI.

Sister Jeannine has worked within the church for more than thirty years on behalf of the LGBT community and its fight for acceptance, recognition, and equality. When issued this ultimatum from Cardinal Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II Â— denounce homosexuality or lose everything Â— quietly and with respect, she refused.

"I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting a basic human right," she says. "To me this is a matter of conscience."

Shot by legendary filmmaker Albert Maysles and executive produced by Humanitas Prize winner Tom Fontana, this laugh-out-loud film was called Â‘a masterpieceÂ’ by Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple. TimeOut NY magazine calls Sister Jeannine Gramick Â‘a freedom fighter on the frontlines of the cultural wars,Â” adding, Â“This gripping documentary by Barbara Rick is a must-see.Â”

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Sister Jeannine Gramick is an American nun who ministers to gay and lesbian catholics. Ordered to stop her activities, the sister has refused and is attempting to take her case to the Vatica... Read allSister Jeannine Gramick is an American nun who ministers to gay and lesbian catholics. Ordered to stop her activities, the sister has refused and is attempting to take her case to the Vatican.Sister Jeannine Gramick is an American nun who ministers to gay and lesbian catholics. Ordered to stop her activities, the sister has refused and is attempting to take her case to the Vatican.

Director
- Barbara Rick
Writer
- Barbara Rick

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.7/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Barbara Rick
Writer
- Barbara Rick

See production info at IMDbPro

Videos1

Trailer 2:32

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Featured review

10/10

A voice of hope in the wilderness...

The hope, the healing, the message of inclusion and love for the gay community embodied in Sr. Jannine in this film is juxtaposed with the lack of hope, the lack of healing, and the exclusion and absence of love formally promulgated by the subject of this film - the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. This is a sad commentary on the state of the Catholic Church in today's world. But, when one listens closer to the message of Sr. Jeannine, one is reminded of her two most salient points: that the Church "is" the People of God, not the hierarchy; and, that the primacy of an informed, personal conscience must guide our lives. Barbara Ricks' direction and production have provided us with a film that is not only compelling and humorous, but enlightening and liberating. My advice, Michael Moore, move over... there's a new girl in town!