Kosher Movies: Conclave

In the course of serving as principal of Yeshiva High School of Atlanta for many years, I would often hire non-Jewish teachers to instruct our students in secular subjects. Ironically, I connected to them intellectually and spiritually even though our religions were different. Our basic assumptions about the source of all life were similar because we were both people of deep faith, believers in an Almighty and benevolent God. Watching Conclave reminded me of how similar are the challenges of people of faith, even when their faiths diverge.

The film opens with the death of the pope, compelling the College of Cardinals, under the management of British Cardinal Dean Thomas Lawrence, to meet in seclusion to choose his successor. The leading candidates come from different countries and possess different approaches to the papacy.

Lawrence begins the proceedings by sharing a homily, the point of which is to view doubt and uncertainty as positive qualities of a new pope. He observes: “Our faith is a living thing precisely because it walks hand-in-hand with doubt. If there was only certainty and no doubt, there would be no mystery. And therefore no need for faith. Let us pray that God will grant us a pope who doubts. And let him grant us a pope who sins and asks for forgiveness and who carries.” Here are echoes from the passage in Proverbs (24:16-18) that reminds us that the righteous may fall seven times, but afterwards, they always rise and continue.

As the days pass in sequestration, no one candidate appears to have the necessary two-thirds majority to succeed the deceased pope. Moreover, secrets emerge that make consensus difficult.

As I observed Lawrence try to manage a complex array of men who have strong opinions about social issues and some of whom have large egos, I saw parallels with Judaism’s approach to dealing with sensitive egos and sensitive information. In Jewish sources, there is a general ban on lashon harah, evil speech. Yet sometimes we have to reveal secrets to protect people.

As a school principal, a rabbi, and a teacher, I often found myself in the unenviable position of having to share secrets to safeguard innocents. It required tremendous patience and wisdom, often compelling me to consult mentors older and wiser than me to arrive at good decisions. Lawrence is careful in his speech, very circumspect, yet determined to do what is in the best interest of the people who desire a pope who will speak to their hearts as well as their minds.

Conclave also deals with the topic of repentance. In evaluating candidates, one must look at a person’s past; and looking backward is a perspective that reveals mistakes that people make as they journey through life. Questions arise: how far back should we investigate. Furthermore, how much weight do we give to the context of both the present and past in making decisions that may alter future events? Judaism certainly believes in the ability of a person to make mid-course corrections in life, even when sins are great. Consider how King David and Judah committed what some say were sexual transgressions, yet who, nevertheless, became great leaders of the Jewish people.

Perhaps the most insightful scene that reverberated with me was Lawrence’s thinking when he finally has to implement the near unanimous decision of the cardinals. Lawrence, at the proverbial last minute, becomes aware of a potential disqualifier of the cardinal chosen to be the pope. The dilemma: Does he allow this piece of information to see the light of day, or does he remain quiet and let the inevitable happen?

In the Talmud, there is a notion that in cases of doubt, we follow the law according to the way the judges see it. There is a recognition that we may not be able to ascertain absolute truth. In this case, all we can do is our best. God will take care of the rest. Lawrence does that and, for me, affirms the wisdom of the great rabbis of the Talmud and Codes of Jewish Law. Lawrence sees events contextually, which means that sometimes there are no easy answers to complex problems.

Conclave outwardly is a very Christian film, yet its complex narrative mirrors reality and echoes the wisdom of the rabbis of old. For me, it was a very “kosher” movie.