Original subtitles

Oh, careful, Samantha. You nearly knocked me down. Samantha, what do you

say? Excuse me, Sister Jean. I'm sorry.

Aw. Sister Alejandra, my doofy brother says girls can't do what boys can do

because we're weak.

Nonsense.

You can do and be anything you want when you grow up, even president of our great

country. Don't you forget that.

I want to be like Father John and hold mass and serve bread and wine on

communion when I grow up. That would be wonderful. Or, Samantha, you could be a

sister like me and teach in a beautiful school or a big hospital.

Or you can work with the poor, but you can never be a priest.

Let's go, children!

Who the hell is Sasha?

You heard me.

Okay, so you're just going to ignore me?

Why are you searching through my phone?

Do not answer my question with another question. You know, that's the kind of

thing that makes me think I can't trust you.

Do not flip this on me. Who is she?

She's just some chick.

I can't control who texts me. Some chick?

Well, some chick said that y'all were going to hang out tonight.

Well, how's that possible if I'm going to be with you?

So why don't you go by?

The sexiest little black dress you can find.

You think you can buy me, don't you?

It's working, isn't it?

No.

Kind of.

Good day, Father John.

Sister Alejandra, we need to talk.

Yes, Father.

Once again, I have word that you're speaking with the young girls about

women going into the priesthood. Father John... And worst of all, you yourself

have applied to the seminary to study for the priesthood.

Now what kind of an example are you setting for these girls?

Father, I want to do what you do.

I wish to bring the word of Jesus Christ to his people.

You already do.

I do not, Father. You know I don't. In your own way, yes.

It's not enough, Father.

I pray and pray, and the message is the same.

I believe in my heart that Jesus wants me to minister, that he wants me to

become a priest. It is my calling.

You know that the church will not allow women to become priests.

There are so many things. Father, they are not. They will have to be. Why,

Father, why shouldn't a woman be allowed to become a priest?

It is the law of the church.

Now, look, we have had this discussion several times over the past year.

You leave me no choice.

You are no longer to work with the students.

You are now assigned to assist with the shut-ins.

Do you understand?

Yes, Father, I understand.

Have a blessed day, Sister.

Sister Alejandra, where are you going?

I'm leaving the school, but soon you'll have a new teacher and she'll help you

learn amazing things. No, you are a teacher.

We want you, Sister Alejandra.

That won't be possible.

Will I ever see you again?

I promise you will be in my heart.

I will keep it always. Thank you.

Alejandra, I'm so sorry it had to come to this.

You just have to be so careful when going against church doctrine.

What will you do now?

Hey, Sasha, it's Tommy.

Sorry I missed you last night. I got hung up at work.

It's okay.

Let's talk tonight. Yeah, I'll call you later. All right, bye.

Good morning, Mr. Riley.

Good morning, darling. How are you this fine Monday? I am tired.

How's your boy? Is he still giving you a hard time? He just discovered girls.

Why don't you bring him in? I can have a talk.

Oh, no, baby.

Listen, it's your mother's birthday.

I sent her a gift from you.

Thank you very much.

Hey, who's Alejandra Batista?

Oh, that's a matter sent over by Dunbar.

Tommy.

Call your mother.

No.

Take a seat.

Leave me on the Solis case.

Sure. Gwen Solis. Gender discrimination case. Brilliant executive.

Denied promotions.

Paid less than her male counterparts.

It's an open and shut trial, right? It's a statement case for other women bumping

into the glass ceiling. Now, of course, my heart really bleeds for Gwen.

Except when you get in front of a jury of eight men and they don't agree.

Set up a settlement conference.

If we settle, we'll be leaving money on the table. Assuming we win in court,

where the odds against the plaintiff are two to one. So there's litigation risk,

not to mention the reputation cost for the firm if we lose.

Take the sure settlement.

Tommy, you're not afraid of trials, are you?

What's our demand?

2.5. What are they?

750. What's it worth?

900. Settle.

Oh, Mr. Dunbar.

Tommy.

What's this new case you sent over? One of our biggest clients called in a favor

for her housekeeper's daughter, Alejandra Batista.

Pro bono?

Does that matter? Her company bills $5 million a year. I'd mow her lawn every

weekend if she asked.

Plus, the firm requires what?

75 pro bono hours. You've got three.

Is that really the number you want to take to the partnership committee next

month? No, sir. What's this about?

Didn't Silk tell you? I was...

It's a case we don't want, but we can't duck.

Just make it go away.

What are we settling?

Woman suing the Catholic Church.

Hi, can I help you?

Tell me, Riley, your name?

Ali Batista. Okay.

Have a seat. Thank you.

Is Ali Batista here to see you?

Yeah, thanks.

Please, let me take this, sir.

Don't let me down. Never do.

So, Miss Batista is in the lobby. Would you meet her, please?

Thank you, Betty.

Miss Batista, right this way.

All right, I'll tell you what.

Why don't you put on that little dress that I just bought you? And when I pick

you up, you can tell Daddy all about it. I need to call you back.

Ms. Batista, please sit down. Can I get you some coffee, water?

No, thank you. Silk, why don't you stay?

So, Mrs. Batista. It's Ms.

Oh, sorry, Ms.

Batista.

Let me just say how truly sorry I am for everything that's happened to you. What

are you talking about? I was informed that you're suing the Catholic Church,

so I assume... I'm suing the Catholic Church because I want to become a

Catholic priest.

Before we go any further down that road, Ms. Batista, I apologize. I have to ask.

Are you serious about this?

You have an Irish name.

Are you Catholic, Mr. Riley?

I didn't have any choice in the matter.

Are you a practicing Catholic?

I was an altar boy.

Ms. Batista, my religious practice is the least of your concern. You are suing

the Catholic Church to become a priest.

No, Mr. Riley.

I want to sue the Catholic Church to allow me to enter the seminary so that I

can become a priest. Ms. Batista. Call me Ali.

You can't become a priest. Because I'm a woman?

Last time I checked, there were laws in this country that prohibit

discrimination based on gender.

Yes, but... And is the Catholic Church an institution and governed by the laws

of this country? Ah, you're oversimplifying. Then how can the Church

discriminate against me based solely on my gender?

Are you sure you wouldn't rather become a lawyer instead of a priest?

Don't patronize me, Mr. Riley.

Ms. Batista.

I don't think God himself could help you become a priest.

The only thing I don't have in way of qualifications is a penis.

Why is that a fundamental requirement for the priesthood?

I have no idea.

All priests take a vow of celibacy.

So what difference does it make what sex organ a priest has?

Could you help me out here, Silk?

We're supposed to avoid.

A lawsuit.

Well, maybe we'll get lucky and the church will want to settle to avoid the

notoriety. Unless they decide to let me study to become a priest, I have no

intention of settling.

We don't like to go to court unless we have a fighting chance to win. So, why

don't we take the weekend, we'll think about it, you can think about it, and

we'll talk again on Monday. My mind won't change. If you won't represent me,

then Mr. Dunbar will find someone who will. Okay, I understand.

We'll be in touch.

We'll do a little research and I'll contact you within a week. Thank you for

your time.

I want to know everything about Ms. Batista.

Put together a memorandum about the viability of getting past motions of

dismiss. You think there's something here?

I don't know.

Just doing my due diligence.

Yes, Father John.

Yes. Yes, thank you, sir.

Goodbye.

Alejandro, we have raised you to be a good Catholic.

All of your life, you have made us proud.

But this time, you have brought shame on the family with this silly priest thing.

But I... How can we go to Mass on Sunday now?

Every time Father John sees us, he'll be thinking, oh, Polista Batista, he cannot

control his family.

You make me look weak.

I... No, you don't speak.

You must respect tradition.

Say something. You just said... This is too much. Please.

Oh, Tommy.

Happy birthday.

That dress makes you look even more beautiful than ever. Oh, Irish Blarney,

just like your father.

Oh.

So how's What's-Her-Name?

Who's What's-Her-Name? Oh, you're a bad boy.

Maybe you'd be able to remember their names if they stuck around for more than

two weeks.

You're just like your father with that wandering eye.

So what are you working on now?

Actually, Dunbar dropped a pro bono case in my lap.

It's about a young woman who wants to sue the Catholic Church to become a

priest.

You know, your Aunt Dottie's hip is bothering her. And Rose as well, Rose.

It's okay.

You don't want to talk about it. I probably know your feelings anyway.

She doesn't have that right.

Mom, I don't want this case to go to trial any more than you do.

But if I blow this, I won't make partner.

Well, then you don't have to make partner at some other firm.

Because if you take on this case and win, you'll change the religion I've

practiced all my life. That your father practiced. He didn't practice.

Poor man never recovered from Vatican II. He never recovered from Irish

whiskey. You want to have a real conversation?

Let's have one.

Okay. What about the millions of Catholics who do practice? Do you really

think you have the right to do this? We are a nation of loss.

And no one, including the Catholic Church, gets to be above the law.

Yeah, what about the laws of God, Tommy?

Hmm? Where do they play in this?

Can we please not do this? I'm sorry.

It's your birthday.

Tommy, if you force the Catholic Church to make a woman a priest, I don't know

if I'll be able to forgive you.

Hey, I actually may need to make it an early night.

Oh, why?

I had a pretty crazy day at work.

This woman wants to sue the Catholic Church.

She wants to be a priest.

I'm sorry.

Maybe I'm just naive.

But isn't the law pretty, um... Definitive?

Definitive on the separation of church and state?

I may not see it that way.

And then there's always the Tommy way.

It doesn't matter whose life you may ruin. Oh, come on.

Why don't you answer it? For what?

Well, you don't have anything to hide.

Don't have anything to prove, either.

It's just always going to be like this, isn't it? Like what? Like you can't

commit to anyone.

What?

You are so full of it.

Is that all you ever think about?

Am I just some sex toy to you?

Tommy Riley, the new Gloria Arendt, champion of women's race.

No gloating. It's unseemly. Is she looking for a payday? I wish.

I think the only way to win this is not to play.

Silk, what'd you find out?

If we file, it'll be a case of first impression, and no time has this cause

of action been raised in the state or federal court. Do we have jurisdiction?

Short answer's yes. We've seen it in sex abuse cases, but never in ecclesiastical

rules. Okay, do we have a case?

We have the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits the discrimination of

women for employment without good cause.

Is a priest an employee?

No, at best he's an independent contractor.

Well, that's a problem.

Yes and no. We're not only suing for her to become a priest, we're suing for her

to have the right to enter the seminary to study for the priesthood.

I think that's what we need to focus on. The seminarian is a student. It's only

after ordination that he becomes a priest.

We have case law expanding a woman's right to venues previously restricted to

males. Like educational institutions.

Now, that may get us passed a motion to dismiss. If we can do that... We're

before a jury.

Tell me about Ms. Alejandra Bautista. Age 28, born September 18, 1988, in

Mexico. Immigrated to the U.S. in 96 with her family when her father got a

job with the oil refineries. What else?

I was able to interview several neighbors and sisters.

Everyone thinks she's a saint. Where does she work?

The Sisters of Blessed Charity, of course. She brings food to the shut-ins,

collects clothes for the poor.

Any history with the bad boys? Nope.

Girlfriends? No social life outside of church.

Attends mass every day. I had my nurse do a run on the internet.

And? No Facebook, Twitter, email accounts, no credit cards, traffic

tickets, or debts. As if she doesn't exist.

Social security number, date of birth, everything checks. I swear, Snow White.

After all the wicked witches we handle?

It'll be refreshing to represent Snow White.

I need more information before we move.

Move? More.

Dunbar?

I'm just doing my job, y'all.

Oh, hey.

I don't believe I've seen you in a while. I must be coming to Mass as your

unofficiated. You know, your father used to say that. I didn't believe him

either.

You have a few minutes for me?

Sure, sure, sure. What do you need?

I thought you weren't supposed to smoke in front of your parishioners.

Well, who says I'm smoking in front of a parishioner?

I need some advice.

Really? Well, not advice. More like some information.

I was interested in the steps that you would need to take to become a priest.

Forget it.

You probably blew four rules today.

It's for a potential client.

Okay, well, the candidate has to be an unmarried male.

baptized, and confirmed in the Catholic religion.

That's it?

Well, I qualify.

Oh, not so fast.

Then next you need to speak with a priest in the parish.

And if you have a good reputation, personal relationship with God, and

dedicated to the church, he recommends you to the diocese. I just failed.

Any tests?

Well, since the Catholic scandal's and all...

The candidate must meet with psychiatrists and go through a battery

of tests, yes.

And all this is documented?

Yes, and then submitted to the bishop. And he makes the decision?

Yes. What about a case of a denial? What's the appeals process like?

This isn't a court of law, dummy.

All right, let me make this as clear as I can.

Say my client can pass all the tests, is devoted to helping people, has a deep

personal relationship with God the whole nine yards.

So what's the problem?

No penis.

What? My client's a woman.

Please tell me we're not talking of a sister Alejandro.

We are.

Tommy, I'm going to tell you something.

I've known you since you were a young child.

Things have always come easy for you.

Sports, grades, women, money.

Listen to me very carefully.

You are not the one to take this on.

My client came to me for help.

I have an obligation.

No one here cares about your obligations.

You were toying with a way of life.

Listen, if Jesus Christ wanted women to become priests, he would have made his

apostles women, but he didn't.

He had many candidates, his own mother, Mary, Mary Magdalene, but he chose not

to.

So you're saying the church's entire basis is that Jesus didn't appoint a

woman as an apostle, and you're okay with that?

When it comes to matters of faith and morals in the Catholic Church,

absolutely.

Look, I gotta go.

Tommy, don't do this.

Do you know why the Catholic Church forbids women priests?

Here's a hint. There's no direct biblical reference for it. The

scripture's silent on it. So it's all divine revelation.

Their only justification is that Jesus didn't appoint women to be among the

original apostles.

No other reason.

I go to war with that story. Will that overcome the religious liberty law?

Jane? The act states that the government shall not substantially burden a

person's exercise of religion, but it provides an exception if two conditions

are both met. Such as anti-discrimination?

Yes. And the second condition is that the rule must be the least restrictive

way in which to further government interest.

So this is a straight-up anti-discrimination civil rights case.

You sound like a guy preparing for trial. If we can't scare the church into

a settlement, we better be prepared to find them in court.

Jane, draft the complaint. I want it out tomorrow. Does Dunbar know you want to

file a lawsuit?

He will soon enough.

Tommy, you know what this could mean for us and your partnership.

They said I might find you here, Mother for Julian.

As long as you can keep up. I might pull a hamstring.

Filed a complaint this morning to a favorable judge.

Thank you.

We need to prepare.

We will.

I thought you were some important college football player. I was an

unimportant football player.

And you were valedictorian?

An all-girls school.

You're probably not impressed. I was 23rd in my class. Believe me, I'm

impressed.

23rd? Mm-hmm.

Maybe I should find a smarter lawyer.

She has a sense of humor.

You think I'm some sort of humorless religious fanatic?

No.

I think you're a woman of impressive faith, Ms. Batista.

Ali. Call me Ali.

One last chance, Ali.

There's no shame in quitting.

Save your mother, yourself, your friends, all the heartache that's coming

your way.

I'm not afraid.

It's God's will.

God's will.

Yes?

Colonel Sierra.

Yes, I just got it. I agree. This is unique.

Yes, I will have local council.

Yes, I will be there as well. And can I just say that...

Yeah,

get over here right now.

Sit over there.

I think we have a strong case, sir.

The Catholic business leaders who called to complain this morning just want this

to go away.

And if you recall, that's why I assigned this case to you. I appreciate that,

sir. But our client, Ms. Batista, I don't think she'll settle... You're a

settler. That's what I told you to do.

But you also said that we owe a favor to one of our highest-paying clients.

Catch 22, sir. You want to make partner?

Tommy, do you want to make partner?

Then figure it out.

And settle this.

You'll be punished for your disobedience.

Hey! Hey!

Hey! Hey, come here!

Sister, are you okay?

I need some help in here!

I need some help!

Are you okay?

What happened?

She'll be fine.

And then attacked me and said he'd punish me for my disobedience. I'm a

little shaken up, but I'll be alright.

It's not safe here, Ally. We've got to get you out of here.

So get a picture of that and send it to me.

Yeah, it's Tommy.

He may need your help.

Enrico. Your evidence.

It is unfortunate that these events have occurred.

Yes, I'm afraid so.

So, what will we do about this?

I have a pre-trial conference before the judge.

I also just found out that Miss Batista was attacked in the church.

Is she all right? I don't know.

But we will be blamed for this.

They would portray us as the bad guys in any event.

Just make sure this doesn't turn into a circus.

I understand.

I interviewed a half a dozen Catholic theologians who do not support the

Church's position on male-only priests.

A couple of women even went to the Vatican to challenge the Pope.

Any candidates?

They've all been defrocked over it. No Catholic scholars.

Renzulli will just dismiss their views as rants of a rogue group.

Then what do we present?

I'm not sure yet.

Talking settlement?

Why not?

I thought Dunbar was going to stab me with his pruning shears for filing the

suit.

But unless the church backs down, I don't see how we settle.

Got to try, right?

If they don't back down, maybe we can meet Dunbar halfway.

I know that I'm the last person in this firm he wants to trial.

Tommy, Ms. Batista isn't going to settle.

I have to get to the courthouse.

Go get him. Always do, partner.

You mind checking on Allie? See if she needs anything.

Enrico Renzulli. Thomas Riley.

Is your client here?

Not until the trial.

If there's a trial?

Settling.

All rise!

Court is in session. The Honorable Judge Watford presiding. No talking. Anyone

using any electronic devices will be escorted out. You may now be seated.

We are here on the matter of Batista versus the Archdiocese of New Orleans

and Bishop Cardinal Jose Sierra. Is plaintiff's counsel present?

Thomas J. Riley, Law on Dunbar.

And defense counsel?

The Archdiocese and Cardinal Bishop Jose Sierra, Monsignor Enrico Renzulli.

Counsel, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Counsel, please

approach the bench.

Monsignor, I know you filed a motion to dismiss, and you've each requested oral

argument. So before I make a decision, have you two had a chance to speak?

No, Your Honor.

Mr. Riley, due to the gravity of this case, may I make a suggestion?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'm going to reserve decision.

I'd like to see you back in here on Friday.

I would say you show the Monsignor some hospitality, see if we can't come to a

resolution before we go any further.

Counsel, step in.

Defendant's motion to dismiss has been marked. Submit parties will be back in

this courtroom on Friday.

Look like I'm buying.

No need.

I'm by the Cardinal's home for dinner this evening.

Thank you for coming. Thanks for having me.

Would you like a drink?

It's been a rough day.

Bet it has.

So, how is your client holding up? She's strong, considering she was just

attacked.

You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

I'm not even going to dignify that with a response.

How are your clients holding up? They're bent.

I'm sure.

Thomas, I'm glad the judge asked us to get together. I would like to work this

out before it's too late. Too late for what?

For you to turn back.

Is that a threat?

No. Then what is it?

Advice.

You see, Thomas, you can't win this case, and that's a fact.

My client's commitment is unwavering.

I hear you're allergic to the inside of a courtroom.

You really should make this go away before you embarrass yourself.

Well?

If you're ready to remove the stained glass ceiling, then, of course, we are

open to a settlement. Not possible.

Not now, not ever.

Okay.

I think we've established our initial positions.

I'm surprised.

Does Kent Dunbar agree that a settlement is impossible?

Mr. Dunbar and I both agree that absent a better solution, this case should be

settled by a jury of Miss Batista's peers.

Even if you get past my motion to dismiss, she'd never be a priest,

period. So my question is, Why are you doing this?

Because I believe she has a case.

Are you a Catholic?

I've been hearing that a lot lately.

I was raised Catholic.

Do you feel any conflict of interest in representing Ms. Batista? I don't.

I accept the teachings of Jesus as revealed in Scripture. That does not

include the man-made rules of cardinals and popes.

Have you ever heard the term cafeteria Catholic?

A cafeteria Catholic picks and chooses what church teachings he accepts, but to

be a Catholic, one must accept all the teachings.

Okay, look.

If Judge Watford sustains your motion and throws us out, that's it.

If not, the media's gonna beat this to death, and I don't believe either of us

want that.

No, we don't.

I put on two witnesses only.

Ms. Batista plus Dr. Sylvia Turan.

It's a psychologist appointed by the Archdiocese to screen potential

seminarians. What do you expect of me?

You put on Bishop Cardinal Sierra.

You'll be relying solely on your cross-examination of Archbishop Sierra

to prove that the Church's position is unreasonable?

That's right.

Oh, hey, hey, hey, that's my camera!

I'm with the C1 News Agency!

I got no camera with you!

You're gonna get out of here. Do you understand me? Yeah, yeah.

Hello? Nikki, it's Tommy. I was just thinking about you.

Want to see what you're up to tonight?

Why?

Because I miss you, baby.

Cut the crap, Tommy. What do you want?

Look, I got a big day at court Friday, and I wanted to see if you could be

there for me.

No.

No, you don't need anybody, Tommy. That's your whole problem.

I have to take this call. Can we talk later?

No. Hello?

Tommy.

Chris, I found Hallie.

I'll be right there.

You okay?

I'm fine.

Hey, you mind taking a bag of your car?

Are you absolutely sure that you want to continue down this path?

There's no shame in settling.

This kind of case brings the nuts out of hiding.

I'm not afraid.

And I told you I'm not settling.

It's God's will.

But you can't fault the guy for trying to protect you.

Let's go.

James, let us out right here.

This case is an attack on religious freedom.

and on the more than one billion Catholics around the world.

The church is confident that God's will shall prevail.

Excuse me, why are you doing this? I think that's cool.

Mr. Riley, do you think you really have a case?

I'm not even going to answer that.

What's the matter?

That's the guy from the picture.

No, no, no, that's the guy.

Hey! Excuse me, can you answer a few more questions about the cake?

Will the counsel please approach the bench?

Did we work anything out?

Okay, let's go.

On the docket this morning is a hearing on a 12b6 motion to dismiss filed by the

defendants.

Monsignor, it's your motion.

Your Honor, it is our position that the plaintiff is attempting to insert the

government's... and to the defendant's religious practices, which has no

precedent in American law. Even if the Church's protection under the First

Amendment would cause the infringement of the plaintiff's equal rights?

Your Honor, enforcing her rights would infringe upon the Catholic Church's

rights under the Constitution.

Is it your opinion that the Civil Rights Act is unconstitutional?

No, Your Honor, not the act.

But the application of the act in this instance would be.

Do you have anything else, Monsignor?

No, Your Honor.

Mr. Riley, it's your turn.

Your Honor, there is no question that the Catholic Church is discriminating

against women by allowing admission to a Catholic seminary to only, and I quote,

unmarried males who have been baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.

This is discrimination on its face.

Maybe, but does the government have a right to get involved in their religion?

Your Honor.

Federal courts assumed jurisdiction over the Church of the Latter-day Saints

regarding their religious right to polygamy. The courts ruled that the

civil laws against polygamy outweighed the Church's right to the practice under

the First Amendment.

There is no difference here.

Are you finished, Mr. Riley?

Yes, Your Honor.

Our forefathers drafted some of the most poignant words when they said, all men

are created equal.

Unfortunately, it did not include men of color or women.

But as times change, so must our interpretation of how those words were

drafted. To do that, we look no further than the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which

overturned our forefathers' original intent.

So now the words, all men are created equal, includes all men.

But that legislation also accomplished something else, to include women.

Since there is ample precedent to assume jurisdiction over the defendants, and

the fact question exists, I hereby deny the motion to dismiss.

Quiet in the courtroom.

I'm prepared to set this case for trial.

Quiet in the courtroom.

Keep it up and I'll put everybody out.

Your Honor, we take exception as this is an issue of first impression.

Exception noted.

Mr. Riley, you recognize that this court will have the right to determine whether

a mandatory injunction is justified, even if the jury determines that the

defendant's actions are not justified.

Yes, Your Honor. Then this case is set for trial 9 a.m. next Tuesday.

Due to the novelty of the case and the...

disruption in the court today. These courtroom proceedings will be closed to

the public.

Excuse me.

Mr. Dunbar, do you know how much Tommy wants?

Please, please, sir. Just a comment would be great. Do you have anything to

say about your personal stance?

What about Ms. Batista?

I don't know what you said. Great work, y'all.

Great job.

A lot of hard work to do and a tough road ahead.

But here's Sally.

Sally. Yeah.

I'm ready.

Tommy, your mother's here. How dare you?

In your whole life, you never made a commitment to any woman. Why now?

Mrs. Riley, I'm Alejandra.

If you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me. Mr. Riley is just doing his

job. You have no right to do this. No disrespect, but I not only have the

right, I have the obligation.

That is just the tip of the iceberg.

Ms. Batista, excuse us, please.

Our clients, our paying clients, are too frightened to come here because of the

rowdy protesters.

I thought you'd be pleased that we were set for a two-day trial. Two days more

than I wanted.

Clean this up.

I didn't want to cause you any grief with your family.

It's God's will, right?

What the hell is this?

That's him.

Jesus.

What happened, mija?

No,

you weren't. You had an accident.

Mr. Riley, my daughter's life is in your hands. And you're doing a very lousy job

protecting her.

I know, sir.

I've already got more security.

You see what you've gotten yourself into, Alejandra?

I'm sorry, papa.

Mr. Riley, you may call your first witness.

I call Dr.

Sylvia Turan.

Your Honor, Dr. Turan is a licensed psychiatrist in the state of Louisiana.

Defense counsel acknowledges that she is used by the diocese in interviewing

applicants of the seminary. I respectfully request that she's entered

in this court as an expert.

Granted. Dr. Turan, would you please describe the process by which you

examine applicants of the seminary?

We're looking for two qualities, the absence of pathology and the presence of

good mental health.

We try to do this in a face-to-face interview and by written examinations.

Let's start with the interview first.

What are some questions you ask?

We ask about past sexual experiences, such as, when was the last time you had

sex? Three years or more is the preferred answer. Last night?

Not so good. And what about some of the other examinations?

All candidates must take an HIV test and a number of written examinations.

Based upon your interview and written examination of Alejandra Batista,

Did you form an opinion about her fitness to be an applicant to the

seminary? Yes, I did. And what is that opinion, Dr. Turan?

That she would be a tremendous candidate to the seminary.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Monsignor Renzulli. Dr. Turan, are you Catholic?

Yes, I am. As a Catholic and a woman, what is your opinion on whether a woman

should be a priest?

I don't have an opinion.

Surely in your work you've witnessed discrimination against women. Is that

true? Yes.

Is the field in which you work dominated by men?

Mostly, but it's getting better. As a woman who has succeeded in a field

dominated by men, you're telling this jury there's not just a little part of

you that wants this plaintiff to succeed in her quest to be a priest?

Dr. Turan?

I like to see women succeed, yes.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Mr. Riley, redirect.

No, Your Honor. This court will adjourn for lunch until 2 p.m., at which time

the plaintiff will call their next witness.

You know, I ask myself, what is the church's strategy here?

I mean, hoping for a motion to dismiss obviously was not a strategy. We will

win this case on merits.

Juries often have a habit of interpreting merits in unexpected ways.

But you agree the merits are on our side.

I try never to think of merits.

Only outcomes, costs, reputations.

That way I'm rarely disappointed.

Do you have a destination in mind?

Where does the church...

I want to go with this unnecessary exercise.

I must have no talk of winning and losing.

The Church will never let Ms. Batiste to be a priest.

Too bad, really.

A highly qualified candidate.

But she's not qualified.

I must represent the Church's doctrine.

That's not what I'm really trying to get at. I was thinking more of a number with

more than a handful of zeros.

Possibly.

What about the girl bigger obstacle perhaps not hopeless If we're agreed,

I'll inform judge Watford of the possibility of a settlement

This court will adjourn until Monday morning at 9 a.m.

Your Honor, may we know why?

Your Honor...

Hey, baby.

Hey, Tommy.

Look, Nick, I thought about what you said.

And you were right.

I am so sorry.

I do need you.

Hey, Nick!

Sorry, Tommy.

Come in.

Where's Tommy? He'll follow up. Miss Batista, may I sit down?

How have you been?

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

I believe that's James chapter 2, verse 14.

If you look in your heart, you'll appreciate all the wonderful things you

can provide for those in need.

But I could not be a priest.

That's the one thing you have to give up.

And if it makes a difference, I believe you can get several million.

It's interesting that the church would be willing to spend millions of dollars

that, as you suggest, could be spent helping others just to keep one woman

out of the seminary.

No, I'm not saying this offer is being made by the church.

But let's say there are individuals interested in making this situation go

away.

We're going to settle.

Renzulli's on board.

I can't believe you went to Renzulli behind my back.

That's of no importance. What is important is that win or lose Miss

Batista is going to be a novelty the rest of her life. You want to help that

girl, help her walk away with millions of dollars.

She'll never go for it.

You never know how someone will respond until you ask the right question.

You disappoint me.

What the hell happened to you? We don't deal in good guys and bad guys.

She stuck to her guns. That happens to be worth a lot of money. Get it done.

Or forget about being part of it.

I don't care about the money. Really?

What about all the good that you could do with millions of dollars?

Isn't that a little selfish?

Maybe even a sin?

That which God had made me do, had commanded, or shall command, I will not

fail to do for any man alive.

You know, I never learned that one. Is it Matthew?

No. It's from Joan of Arc to her interrogators.

Is this about vanity?

Are you bucking for sainthood?

What do you believe in when you're alone in the quiet?

Making partner?

Then what?

Dispiriting sex with the next random woman?

If you take away faith, you take away the magic of life.

I'd rather die than live that way.

I believe in something.

I believe in the law.

Which is why I took your case. Dunbar shoved my case down your throat hoping

you'd settle it. We both know this case was never gonna settle.

But I'm here.

Why?

What do you believe in, Tommy?

What do I believe in?

I don't know.

Maybe I'm just hard-headed.

You might be a little hard-headed, but you're definitely not hard-hearted.

the hill oh I am homeward

bound far from the trail

but I will clear new ground

over the edge

try not to fall apart

fell from my nest

but home is inside the heart

Hello? Hey, Ali, it's me.

Okay.

Let's do this.

This is Gene.

Yes. Willis Tompkins. We spoke on the phone earlier.

Yes. Please, come have a seat.

I've been thinking about the sketch that you sent me. And I do think it's Mr.

Vargas. What is his first name?

Vic. Sister, please tell me everything you know about him.

Well, he lives down the street. Where?

The Quartermain Apartments on Poitras.

He used to come to church regularly.

but not anymore.

He tried for the seminary, but wasn't accepted.

He didn't handle it very well, you know.

Thank you, Susan.

That was very helpful.

Thank you. You're welcome, and God bless you.

Are you the landlord here? Why?

Is this where Vic Vargas lives?

Who wants to know?

I'm an investigative attorney. Is he here?

I don't know if he's here or not.

Can you give me a key to his room?

No.

Second floor.

That's doing the left.

Hey, Tommy.

Yeah,

got some great news.

I could use that.

Our guy, he lives across the street from the church.

Yeah, one of the assistants recognized him.

I'm in his apartment right now. Hold on.

This dude is full local.

Got all his face plastered all over his walls.

Only one problem.

He's M.I.A.

Well, I'm on it.

I'm about to call the cops. I'm just going to stay here until they arrive.

There's tons of stuff to sift through.

Tommy, be careful in the meantime.

You're fired.

Jane, take over, and let's get this settled.

This case is bigger than you and me.

I'd like to continue to represent Ms. Batista by myself.

If that's okay with you, Allie, I'd like to proceed.

Well, certainly.

Mr. Dunbar, you're fired.

Jane.

Ms. Batista.

Did you apply to the Archdiocese of New Orleans to attend the seminary? Yes, I

did. Did they accept your application?

They did not.

Did they say why?

I was told I didn't meet the basic qualifications for an applicant.

What are the basic qualifications?

An applicant must be a non-married male, baptized, and confirmed in the Catholic

Church. Are you married, or have you ever been married?

No. Are you a Catholic, baptized, and confirmed in the Catholic Church?

Yes, I am.

So the only reason your application to attend seminary was denied is because

you were not male. Is that correct?

Objection. Question calls for a conclusion of the witness not within her

scope of knowledge.

Sustained.

Ms. Batista, could you tell the court why you want to be a priest?

I believe it is my calling in life. Whenever I expressed that feeling, I was

told, you can't be a priest, you're a girl.

I never understood.

I am caring and committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

As I've grown older, that calling became stronger, and I know that I have the

spirituality, the desire to help others, and the dedication to do God's work.

Ms. Batista, do you honestly feel that God wants you to be a priest?

Objection. Ms. Batista cannot possibly know what is in the mind of God.

Overruled. Ms. Batista, you may answer the question.

Yes, I firmly believe, as firmly as I believe in the Catholic faith, that this

calling comes from God.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Monsignor Renzulli.

Miss Bautista, if you are ordained as a priest, are you aware that you will take

a vow to obey all of the teachings of the Catholic Church?

I am aware of that vow.

And are you aware that the Church teaches that only males may be validly

ordained as priests?

Yes, Monsignor. Do you believe in the doctrine concerning the gender of

priests? No, I do not.

Then how can you, in all good conscience, take the vow to obey all the

teachings of the Church when you do not believe in the validity of one of the

Church's basic doctrines?

Monsignor, if I am ordained as a priest, I would be both a woman and an ordained

priest.

That means the doctrine of male-only priests is no longer taught.

I could readily take a vow to obey all church doctrines then.

Miss Batista, there has been a good bit of notoriety about your lawsuit.

Wouldn't you agree?

Yes, I would. It might make one wonder how sincere you are about your desire to

be a priest or whether you were just seeking publicity.

Objection. Counsel isn't asking questions. He's lecturing the witness.

Sustained, Monsignor Manzulli.

Please confine your examination to questions.

You've testified that you've had the calling to be a priest since you were a

child, and you feel that this calling is from God, correct?

Yes.

Why has it taken so long to apply?

As you can see, Monsignor, this is a difficult process.

I'm not a person who seeks media attention.

Knowing what was coming... I prayed long and hard and looked into my heart to

determine if, by God's grace, I could apply to the seminary.

Do you believe that by challenging God's church, you are in his grace?

If I'm not, may God put me there. And if I am, may God so keep me.

Ms. Batista, are you aware that there are many...

Christian religions who would readily take someone who is as dedicated as you

say you are to be a priest or a minister?

Yes. Then why did you not apply to an Episcopal or another seminary instead of

filing a lawsuit against the Catholic Church?

Because I'm a Catholic, and I wish to become a Catholic priest.

You know, Dunbar gonna lose it if he know it's here, right?

I've been up all night searching Vargas' place.

I really could use your help on this one, brother.

I got you.

Anything for you, bro.

Anything for Allie.

Police. They found something.

I'm heading back down.

Thank you, Tommy. I want that. Take the gun, Tommy.

The gun, Tommy?

The jury really responded to you.

They may not understand the faith, but they appreciate your passion for it.

Thank you.

I mean it.

Do you really think I can convince people who don't share my faith of what

it means to me?

You convinced me.

What do you guys find?

We got to go.

Hey,

Silk.

Tommy, he knows where she is. You got to get out of there.

I'm on my way. Get out of there now.

No,

let's go.

Hey, we gotta get you out of here.

Fergus knows where you are.

Don't move.

No wicked advance against me. Stay right there.

It will be my enemies and foes who will... Tommy, please don't shoot him!

Tommy,

please don't shoot him! I will work

for

you until you renounce your sins and have begged God for his forgiveness.

Hey, hey, hey, come here, Ali.

Jesus.

Come here. Hey.

Oh, God. Ali.

Jesus.

Ali.

Everything's gonna be all right.

No, it's not ever gonna be all right.

We shouldn't be doing this.

Maybe this is my punishment for going against the church.

Maybe this is God's will. No, Allie, this is not God's will.

This is the work of a crazed lunatic.

the bravest person I ever met.

Don't doubt yourself.

You weren't wrong.

I'm going to assume that you've heard that the plaintiff, Alejandra Batista,

had a horrific night. Luckily, she is now in recovery. The man who abducted

her is a psychotic individual who had no affiliation whatsoever with the

defendants in this case.

Do you understand this? If so, please say yes.

Yes, Your Honor.

Good. We will now continue with this trial.

Monsignor, are you ready with your first witness? Yes, Your Honor.

He's already been sworn.

Yes, Your Honor. You may proceed.

The defense calls Bishop Cardinal Jose Sierra.

Bishop Sierra...

Why are unmarried women baptized in the Roman Catholic Church not qualified to

become priests?

It has been the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church since the time of Christ

that all priests are male.

Is there a direct scriptural reference for this teaching?

No. Then what is the foundation for this doctrine?

Jesus chose only men to be his disciples.

We follow the example he set 2,000 years ago.

What were the social conditions of a woman in Palestine, in Jerusalem?

during the time of Jesus?

It was a male-dominated society.

Women were little more than slaves.

So he was following the social norms of the times, correct?

No. Why not?

The priest is the representative of Jesus on earth.

Jesus was a man, therefore priests are men.

Thank you, Bishop Sierra. No further questions.

Your witness, Mr. Riley.

Bishop Sierra.

You said there is no direct scriptural revelation to bar women from the

priesthood forever. Is that correct?

In the context in which I just stated it, yes, that's correct. So your

testimony is that the church relies upon what Jesus didn't do in appointing males

only as apostles.

Is that correct?

Yes. If Jesus was following the tradition of the tribes of Israel, which

had an all-male hierarchy, wouldn't it have made sense to continue this all

-male hierarchy in the appointing of his apostles?

Maybe. Let's talk about some other social norms of the time that maybe

Jesus might have followed.

All the apostles probably wore beards, right?

Yes. But because Jesus didn't appoint any clean-shaven men as apostles, that

doesn't mean the church now excludes them from becoming priests, does it?

No.

Beards were an incidental characteristic the apostles shared.

Of course.

It would be ridiculous to exclude men without beards from the priesthood.

All the first apostles were also Jews, weren't they?

Yes. Does the fact that he didn't appoint any Gentiles to be among the

first apostles mean that Gentiles are barred forever from the priesthood? No.

When Gentiles became a larger part of the church, Gentile men were ordained as

priests.

I believe you also said that it was a social custom at the time to not appoint

women to positions of leadership since they were treated merely better than

slaves. Is that correct?

In a male-dominated society, yes, that's correct. Now, the custom of treating

women just a little better than slaves has changed over time, correct?

It most certainly has.

Bishop Sierra, I would like to summarize your testimony so that the jury and I

can make sure that we understood you. Jesus had 12 apostles.

All wore beards, all were Jews, and all were men. As social customs changed...

The church decided that all of those characteristics except one were merely

incidental to the priesthood, the male gender being fundamental.

Why was the gender of the original apostles the only fundamental

characteristic? Weren't they all a result of the social customs of the time

in which Jesus lived?

No.

Monsignor Rizzulli objected to a question that I asked Miss Batista about

whether she knew if God wanted her to be a priest. He said...

that there was no possible way to know what was in god's mind yes that's

correct so i ask you how can you and the men of the catholic church possibly know

what's in the mind of god concerning the gender of his priest the pope has

declared that the priesthood shall be limited to the male gender on the clear

example of jesus and that mr riley is the will of god so

say you and the men of the church

But Jesus never said that. Objection. Mr. Reilly is making a speech.

Sustained. Bishop Sierra, you have ordained married males, have you not?

I'm not sure what you mean. Have you ordained a married Episcopal priest into

the priesthood of the Catholic Church?

Yes. Well, don't the qualifications for the priesthood require the candidates to

be unmarried?

The Pope has offered a special disposition to ordain married Episcopal

priests when circumstances warrant it.

The Episcopalian religion also ordains female priests, does it not?

Yes, I think they do. Will the Catholic Church ordain a female priest of the

Episcopalian religion, married or unmarried?

No.

So it is your testimony that you and the Pope and the other cardinals will bend

the rules to ordain a married male Episcopal priest, but you will not bend

those same rules for a woman under the same circumstances just because she is a

woman? Your Honor, please. Never mind.

I withdraw my question.

We already know your answer.

No further questions, Your Honor.

This court will adjourn until tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. when we will hear

closing arguments.

I have God's mercy on my side.

Mr. Riley, your closing argument.

It is with sadness and outrage for me that my client, Alejandra Batista, would

be abducted, tortured, and persecuted simply because she had a call to do good

in the world.

But you, the members of the jury, have an opportunity to right those terrible

wrongs and to pave way for something that is right and natural.

You've heard testimony that church dogma is infallible.

One dogma is that men and women are created equal.

Another is that only men can be priests.

Those dogmas contradict each other. What are we supposed to believe?

I believe the evidence is so clear that the only answer to the question, do

the defendants discriminate solely based on gender, is a resounding yes.

And to the question, do the defendants have justifiable cause to discriminate,

is a resounding no.

As a little girl, Alejandra Batista dreamed of being a priest.

But the men of the Catholic Church have decided that she can't pursue her dream,

that no woman can ever be priest, no matter how qualified or how committed

she is to the Catholic Church and to God.

Let Alejandra Batista have her dream.

Monsignor Renzula, you may address the jury.

Thank you, Your Honor.

In order for you to find that my clients discriminate against women...

You have to believe that the evidence shows that they act out of disrespect

for women and they don't want them to be priests no matter what.

But the testimony shows without a shadow of a doubt that the defendants

justifiably believe that what they are doing is a direction from the example of

Jesus Christ.

And so the answer to the first jury question must be no.

What was the will of Jesus?

Catholic leaders have prayed about it.

They've researched it, looked at it in every way possible,

and they consistently answer it as Christ would have had them answer it.

They do what is required of them by their faith, by

their belief.

and they cannot do otherwise.

The priesthood is reserved for the male gender forever.

Therefore, the only answer possible to the second jury question is yes.

Thank you.

Hey, thanks for coming, man. I know Dunbar flipped if he knew you were

anywhere near this cave. Five hours is such a long time for such a short trial.

Five hours and 36 minutes, but who's counting?

Relax, Tommy.

It's like Ollie says.

It's God's will, no matter what the results are.

Yeah, thanks.

Good luck, Tommy.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a unanimous verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Concerning question number one, do you find that the defendants discriminate

against women solely because of their gender by excluding them from the

seminary in order to study for the Catholic priesthood?

Yes or no?

Yes, Your Honor. They discriminate against women solely because of their

gender.

Concerning question number two, do you find that the defendants have a

justifiable basis to exclude women from the seminary in order to study for the

Catholic priesthood solely because of their gender? Yes or no?

No, Your Honor. They do not have a justifiable basis for discrimination.

As the jury has found for the plaintiff on those two issues of fact, it is left

to me to grant or deny a mandatory injunction that requires the seminary

to... Except Miss Batista.

However...

Am

I going to be a Catholic priest?

Both counts.

The church discriminated against you because you're a woman, and they had no

justifiable basis in doing so.

So can I start the seminary in the fall?

No, Ellen.

I'm afraid you can't.

Why not?

After the verdicts, Judge Watford has to decide whether to grant what's called a

mandatory injunction forcing the church to allow you to enter seminary.

I remember.

That injunction is only available if you have no other option.

If you want to become a priest in a Christian religion, several will accept

you. This is Renzulli's question about why I didn't apply to another seminary.

Exactly.

You have options.

So the judge can't force the Catholic Church to accept you.

I'm sorry.

But we were right.

Yeah, yeah.

We were right.

Do you think I can work with students again?

I'll see what I can do.

I missed you. I missed you. Look what I'm wearing.

So happy.

I'm gonna come play with you, okay?

I'm

back.

Thanks to Renzulli.

Has anything changed?

No.

But this allows us to fight another day.

On the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, the last word is clear.

It was given by St. John Paul II, and this remains.

Try for me I'll try for you

Don't forget What

we've been through There's no rush

Take your time

Take your time