‘Exorcist’ Author’s Canon Law Case Against Georgetown Continues

NC Register ^ | January 16, 2017 | Patrick Reilly

[NYer]

William Peter Blatty, best-selling author and Academy Award-winning screenwriter of The Exorcist, died Thursday at the age of 89 after battling a form of blood cancer. But his final work is still underway: a petition to the Vatican, seeking the enforcement of canon law to reform Georgetown University’s Catholic identity, is still in front of the Church’s highest court.

Although Bill Blatty is appreciated widely for his writing talent, great humor and one of the scariest movies ever made, we should also remember him as a faithful Catholic and a passionate advocate for Catholic education.

In many of his works, Blatty explored the depths of good and evil, psychology, theology and spirituality with great respect for his subject matter. And as he explained often, his objective was never “horror.” His was an inspiring human quest to catch a glimpse of God amid extraordinary experiences that test the soul.

In his last years, Blatty’s appeal to the Vatican to correct Georgetown’s wrongs demonstrated that his Catholic faith remained strong, as did his deep concern and love for the sincerely Catholic university that he attended in the 1940s.

[NYer]

Georgetown campus in Washington, D.C., taken around 1910.

[NYer]

The scandals at Georgetown were heartbreaking to Blatty, who attended Georgetown on a full scholarship and had great respect for the Jesuits of his day. Matt Archbold wrote in 2013, “Blatty’s love of Georgetown runs deep and back to the time when he attended the Jesuit university. Georgetown wasn’t just the setting for the book and the classic film. ‘The film is in many ways a hymn to Georgetown,’ William Friedkin, the film’s director, recently told USA Today in an interview with him and Blatty to mark the film’s upcoming 40th anniversary.”

Catholic ping!

[heterosupremacist]

Thank you for posting!

:^)

[Robert DeLong]

Unfortunately it runs much deeper and further than Just Georgetown. Like Obama the problems start at the very top with the Pope and their work slimes down and across the entire entity.

[GreyFriar]

I am a Protestant, but I truly hope the Blatty’s case succeeds. The Jesuits of today, are far from the ones I knew 50 years ago.

Here is a link to the pod cast of WMAL Radio’s Chris Plante being interviewed about his friendship with William Blatty. I think everyone will enjoy it.

https://audioboom.com/posts/5493524-wmal-interview-chris-plante-1-13-17

[vooch]

There is a effort among Alumns to help guide GU back on track. Plenty of activity behind the scenes.

JMJ

[vladimir998]

I wonder if Blatty is able to intercede (in a heavenly way) for his side in this earthly case?

The Lord works in mysterious ways!

[Pontiac]

Later

[Albion Wilde]

Excellent article — thank you.

[Salvation]

All we need to do is ask.