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Thursday, January 27, 2000 Page: 10A
In response to the letter from Mark Bielinski regarding “The Legacy of
Galileo” (Jan. 23), a play which will be presented at College Misericordia at
Jan. 28, I would like to say a word about art this could be a film, a play, a
poem, television program, or a painting – which is based on historical events.
Good artists are not propagandists, but people who seek to illuminate
important questions with their art.
“Roots” may not have been historically accurate, but it inspired millions
of families to explore and come to a greater understanding of their cultural
and personal histories.
“A Few Good Men” was not a movie about a factual incident, but rather a
work of art which challenges the audience to consider questions about military
loyalty, authority and justice.
Few would want to compare Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” to a factual
history, and yet we are grateful that he wrote this work about friendship,
betrayal and the exercise of power. Anyone who sees works such as these may
want to find out more about the factual history by continuing to read and
consider. This is the fondest hope of the artist: that those who see the work
will consider its issues and think about how those issues apply to their
lives.
Second, one must, of course, see the works in order to judge how successful
they are – both as records of fact and as works of art. I would encourage Mr.
Bielinski to join us on Friday to participate in this process.
I have not seen the production, but I have read the Pulitzer
Prize-nominated script, and it does not seem to me to be “an anti-Catholic
bash-fest.” Presenting such a polemic as art would violate my principles, and
those of the college I serve. Our goal is to present art to the public which
is intellectually and spiritually edifying as well as entertaining.
Pope John Paul II has said regarding Galileo and his relationship to the
Church, that this incident was “a tragic mutual incomprehension.” Science
isn’t going to go away, and neither is faith. We might as well look at the
issues which are as difficult for us today as they were 350 years ago and
think them through carefully. Galileo said, “Whatever the course of our
lives, we should receive them as the highest gift from the hand of God, in
which equally reposed the power to do nothing whatever for us. Indeed, we
should accept misfortune not only in thanks, but in infinite gratitude to
Providence, which by such means detaches us from an excessive love for Earthly
things and elevates our minds to the celestial and divine.”
College Misericordia is committed to giving the gift of art to the
community it serves – all stage and gallery events are free and open to the
public – and committed to art which encourages each of us to consider
important issues of citizenship, spirituality, faith, morality and science.
“The Legacy of Galileo” is worth our consideration. Galileo’s strengths
as a man of science and a man of faith speak powerfully to our day, and Rusty
Bynam’s play brings Galileo’s voice to us.
Jennie Congleton
Associate Professor of Fine Arts
Director of Cultural Events
College Misericordia
Dallas