As has been reported in various spots, the USCCB has withdrawn their review of The Golden Compass.
No reasons have been given, but one can assume that the advertising debacle, in which lines from the review were exploited for ad copy, might have something to do with it.
The question is being raised here and there, partly as a consequence of this mess, and partly just because it’s a good question…does the USCCB really need a film reviewing office?
I’d say no, not at all.
First of all, the USCCB is and has been for several years experiencing budgeting issues which have led to a reorganization. In thinking of offices that might be dispensible in a world of financial constraints, one which reviews movies under the name of the Catholic bishops springs to the top of the list pretty fast.
1. There is no dearth of evaluations of film out there, ranging from proper reviews to parenting sites that provide detailed lists of exactly how much nakedness or swearing a movie contains. A parent or anyone else who need to know that information has many places to find it consistent with their family’s values. Morevoer, the self-policing ratings system that the movie industry itself produces has the option of displaying more detailed reasons for a PG-13 or an R – look at the fine prints in movie ads or the descriptions online. They are there.
2. Judging something as suitable for teens or morally objectionable (O) or what have you is tricky, subjective business, and an issue that has proved controversial in the past.  It’s not anything bishops need to pay someone (who is a movie reviewer not a moral theologian anyway) to weigh in on.
3. As this experience has made clear, the bishops’ operation of a movie office runs the risk of implying Church support for a particular film.
4. Why movies? The existence of this office reflects an era – long in the past – in which film was at the center of pop culture. No more. Television, video games, sports – all play roles equal to or greater than film these days.  We don’t have the USCCB reviewing Lost or Halo 3. Why bother with a USCCB-sponsored review of Alvin and the Chipmunks? Why?
Does this mean that the institutional church shouldn’t be involved/engaged with culture? Don’t be silly. Of course not. We want church more engaged with culture, not less, but providing reviews of movies isn’t exactly my definition of engagement with culture.
Engagement with culture means supporting artists and musicians – like supporting – with, you know, money and work  –  and once again making the creation of beauty for our churches a priority. It means encouraging all artists of any genre. It involves ENCOURAGING CATHOLICS TO READ. BOOKS. It involves discussing works of art – yes, even the Golden Compass – as, say Archbishop Chaput does in his most recent column, helping to form Catholics in making critical judgments on the art and pop culture that surrounds us. It involves nurturing a culture in which art – all the arts – are considered important – expressions of the most important things human beings are about as we stumble through this world and bump up against God.
Speaking of art and such:
From Dappled Things:

Since its inception, Dappled Things (www.dappledthings.org) has sought to provide a venue for emerging writers and artists to engage the culture from a Catholic perspective. In order to safeguard this mission, we have followed the policy of only receiving submissions from contributors between the ages of 18 and 35. However, throughout the past two years we have received comments from many readers and potential contributors who wish Dappled Things would accept work from persons of any age. This desire is understandable, as there are almost no other venues that specialize in creative work inspired by the Catholic tradition. Still, we have hesitated to remove our age limits because we do not want a situation in which more experienced writers and artists crowd out those who are still at the start of their careers.
 
After much deliberation, we have concluded that opening up the magazine to creative Catholics of all ages need not undermine our mission. We will remain committed to seeking out and publishing the work of emerging writers and artists, but we will now welcome submissions without regard to a person’s age. By doing this, we hope Dappled Things will become a locus of the best creative talent available within the English-speaking Church. We want Dappled Things to be a magazine of which the Church can be proud (in a completely non-sinful way, that is) and through which Catholics can offer an alternative to the often confused culture that surrounds them.
 
If “The Golden Compass” and “The DaVinci Code” are works that characterize the “wisdom” of our age, we hope that Dappled Things will become a venue where those with a more profound vision — the Tolkiens, Lewises, Waughs, and O’Connors of the future — will be able to become known and share their work with the world. So whether you are a reader seeking material that will enrich your mind, soul, and imagination, or a writer who hopes to share some truth and beauty with the world, we hope you will join the Dappled Things community. To submit your work, please visit our website for instructions.

Speaking of books:
Homeschooling Maven Maureen Wittman is having a party:

I’m planning a book launch party this weekend at my parish. I’d love for all of you to join me in celebrating the release of For the Love of Literature. Yes, I know that you can’t get to Michigan, but we can have a virtual party.
Several publishers have donated books to use as door prizes at both parties. Each day, for the next week, I’ll feature a different book to give away to the blog-party attendees.
Here’s how it will work. Send an email HERE with your name and mailing address. You have until 5:00 AM Eastern Time tomorrow. I’ll then number the emails and pick a number out of a hat. (Similar to Cay Gibson’s Book Walk.)

Speaking of books again:
Marcel LeJeune, Catholic evangelist and Catholic Aggie, is collecting stories for a book:

The Gift of Love: How John Paul II’s Theology of the Body has Changed Lives (ed. Marcel LeJeune) is a book about Catholics whose lives have been changed by John Paul the Great’s Theology of the Body. It will be a compilation of stories from a cross-section of Catholics.
Every author whose story is published in the book will receive a free copy of the book.