Church: Don’t watch pirated religious films

MANILA, Philippines—It’s okay to watch religious films this Holy Week but no pirated movies, please.

In fact, in some cases, watching religious movies or shows with a religious content during the Semana Santa could have a deeper effect on the faithful’s spiritual experience than attending retreats, according to Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, media director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

“Movies have powerful images and have a stronger effect on the viewers,” Quitorio said.

But he strictly reminded devout Catholics who wish to spend the Holy Week watching religious films to avoid buying DVDs and VCDs that are illegally peddled in the streets.

The CBCP is helping the Optical Media Board in the antipiracy campaign.

Favorite films

Merchants of pirated DVDs and VCDs, particularly in Manila’s Quiapo district, are enjoying robust sales of religious films in the run-up to the Holy Week.

Among the customers’ favorites are Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” and “Jesus of Nazareth,” which are already dubbed in Filipino. The pirated films are sold for anywhere between P25 and P40.

If people don’t want to spend too much, Quitorio suggested that they can watch good religious shows aired for free on television during the Holy Week.

TV Maria

Local television stations suspend regular programming during the Holy Week, particularly on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday, to give way to religious movies and other spiritual shows.

“There are many religious movies on cable, there are also Catholic television channels available like the TV Maria,” Quitorio said, referring to the station run by the Catholic Media Network and now carried over 300 cable groups across the country.

TV Maria airs programs featuring praise and worship gatherings and shows featuring daily Gospel reflections and religious documentaries, among others.