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Black Book

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Source: Catholic News Service

Glossy, well-acted World War II saga set in Holland about a Jewish singer (a compelling Carice van Houten) who, after her family is gunned down by the Nazis, joins the Dutch Resistance who ask her to romance and spy on the local Gestapo chief (Sebastian Koch) with whom she then genuinely falls in love. Director Paul Verhoeven has made essentially an old-style Hollywood espionage story but with a good deal of present-day permissiveness, and though the film has some serious intent, it registers mainly as escapist entertainment, even if inspired by true events. In Dutch, German, English and Hebrew, with subtitles. Strong rough and crude language and profanity, sexual encounters, full male and female nudity, innuendo, wartime violence including shootings and beatings, vigilante justice. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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John I: Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
<p>When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West. </p><p>When John returned to Rome, he found that the emperor had begun to suspect his friendship with his eastern rival. </p><p>On his way home, John was imprisoned when he reached Ravenna because the emperor suspected a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently from the treatment he had received.</p>

You should lead by your example in family, among friends and neighbors, and with colleagues and coworkers or fellow students. Your examples should include putting community above self, placing respect for the dignity of others ahead of self-gratification, and demonstrating love above all.

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