Subtitles by explosiveskull
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 wanna be like Father John and hold mass
and serve bread and wine and communion when I grow up.
Well, 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.
Let's go.
Who the hell is Sasha?
You heard me.
Okay. So, you're just gonna ignore me?
Why are you searching through my phone?
Do not answer my question with another question.
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? - Mm-hmm.
Well, 'some chick' said
that y'all were gonna hang out tonight.
Well, how's that possible if I'm gonna be with you?
So, why don't you go buy
the sexiest little black dress you can find.
You think you can buy me, don't you?
It's working, innit?
No!
Kind of.
Help me, Father, with this challenge.
I know I'm called to guide Your people
and to do Your holy will.
Help me, Father, with this challenge.
I know I'm called to guide Your people
and to do Your holy will. Amen.
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 wanna 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 am 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. We must talk tonight.
Yeah, I'll call you later.
All right, bye.
Good morning, Mr. Reilly.
Good morning, darling. How are you this fine Monday?
I am tired.
How's your boy? Is he still giving you a hard time?
Oh, he just discovered girls.
Why don't you bring him in? I can have a talk.
Oh no, baby.
Listen, so it's your mother's birthday.
- Mm-hmm. - I sent her a gift from you.
- Thank you very much. - You're welcome.
Hey, who's Alejandra Batista?
Oh, that's a matter sent over by Dunbar.
- All right. - Fine.
- Tommy, - Huh.
- Call your mother. - No.
Take a seat.
Brief me on the Solas case.
Sure. Gwen Solas. Gender discrimination case.
Brilliant executive, denied promotions,
paid less than her male counterparts.
It's an open to 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.
Uh, 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 a 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?
- Two point five. - What are they?
- Seven fifty. - What's it worth?
- Nine hundred. - Settle it.
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 five million a year.
I'd mow her lawn every weekend if she asked.
Snort
Plus, the firm requires, what, 75 pro bono hours.
You've got three.
Is that really the number you wanna take
to the partnership committee next month?
No, sir. What's this about?
- Didn't Silk tell you? - I was, uh...
It's a case we don't want, but we can't duck.
Just make it go away.
What are we settling?
Woman's suing the Catholic Church.
Hi. Can I help you?
Uh, Tommy Reilly.
- Okay, and your name? - Ally Batista.
Okay.
- Have a seat. - Thank you.
There's a Ally Batista here to see you.
Yeah, thanks.
Please, let me take this, sir.
- Don't let me down. - Never do.
Silk,
Ms. Batista's in the lobby. Would you meet her, please?
Thank you, Betty.
Ms. Batista, right this way.
All right. I 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.
Uh, I need to call you back.
Ms. Batista... Please sit down.
Can I get you some coffee, water?
- No, thank you. - Uh, Silk. Won't you stay?
So, Mrs. Batista.
Uhm, it's miss.
I'm 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 assumed...
I'm suing the Catholic Church,
because I want to become a Catholic priest.
I see.
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. Reilly?
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. Reilly, I wanna sue the Catholic Church to allow me
to enter the seminary so that I can become a priest.
- Ms. Batista... - Call me Ally.
- 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...
Is the Catholic Church an institution
and governed by the laws of this country?
Uh, you're over simplifying.
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. Reilly.
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 wanna know everything about Ms. Batista.
Put together a memorandum about the viability
of getting past motion to dismiss.
You think there's something here?
I dunno.
Just doing my due diligence.
Come on.
Yes, Father John.
Yes.
Yes, thank you, sir. Good bye.
Alejandra, 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, Mr. 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...
Urgh, this is too much.
- Please! - No.
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?
Urgh, 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, uh,
your aunt Dotty's hip is bothering her.
And, and Rose is well, Rose.
It's okay. You don't wanna 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'll have to make partner as 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 wanna 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 laws and no one,
including the Catholic Church, gets to be above the law.
Yeah. What about the laws of God? Tommy?
Mmm? Where do the 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.
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, uhm...
Definitive?
...definitive on the separation of church and state?
I may not see it that way.
And then there's always the Tommy way.
Doesn't matter who's 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 gonna be like this,
- isn't it? - Like what?
Like you can't commit to anyone.
Oh, Wh-wh-what?
You are so full of it.
Is that all you ever think about?
Hmm? Am I just some sex toy to you?
Tommy Reilly. The new Gloria Oren.
Champion of women's rights.
No gloating. It's unseemly.
- Is she looking for a pay day? - I wish.
I think the only way to win this, is not to play.
Silk, what did you find out?
Yeah, if we file it'll be a case of first impression.
At no time has this course of action been raised
in a 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 Right 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.
A 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 past the motion to dismiss.
- If we can do that... - We're before a jury.
Tell me about Ms. Alejandra Batista.
Age 28,
born September 18, 1988 in Mexico.
Immigrated to the US in '96 with her family
when her father got a job at 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. - Uh, 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 nerds do a run on the internet.
- And? - No Facebook, Twitter,
e-mail accounts, no credit cards,
traffic tickets or debt.
It's as if she doesn't exist.
Social security number,
date of birth, everything checks.
I swear it's Snow White.
After all the wicked witches we handle,
it'll be refreshing to represent Snow White.
Any 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 masses you aren't officiating.
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.
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.
Ha ha.
It's for a potential client.
Ah. Okay, well, uhm...
Well, a 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 you next, next you need to speak with a priest
- and then the parish. - Mmm.
And if you have a good reputation,
a personal relationship with God and dedicated to the church,
he recommends you to the diocese.
I just failed.
Any tests?
Well, since the Catholic scandals and all,
a 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 Alejandra.
We are.
Tommy, I'm gonna tell you something.
Now, 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 are 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, son.
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 that.
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'd go to war with that story.
Will, 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.
- So, it's 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'd better be prepared to fight them in court.
Jane, draft the complaint. I want it out tomorrow.
Uh, 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?
Oh.
They said I might find you here.
Mind if I join?
- As long 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.
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.
- Twenty-third? - Hm-mmm.
Maybe I should find a smarter lawyer.
Ha, she has a sense of humor.
Do you think I'm some sort of humorless religious fanatic?
No.
I think you're a woman of impressive faith, Ms. Batista.
Ally. Call me Ally.
One last chance, Ally.
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.
Cardinal Sierra.
Yes, I just got it. I agree, this is...
unique.
Yes, I will have local counsel.
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.
I'm in a catch-22, sir.
You wanna make partner?
Tommy, do you wanna make partner?
Then figure it out.
And settle this.
Stop! Ah!
Help!
You'll be punished for your disobedience.
Hey! Hey!
Hey, hey! Come here!
Sister, are you okay?
I am.
I need some help here!
I need some help!
Are you okay?
- What happened? - She'll be fine.
A man attacked me
and said he'd punish me for my disobedience.
I'm a little shaken up, but I'll be all right.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
It's not safe here, Ally.
We gotta get you out of here.
Silk, get a picture of that. Send it to me.
Yeah, it's Tommy.
May need your help.
Enrico!
Your Eminence.
It is unfortunate that these events have occurred.
Yes, I'm afraid so.
So...
What will be do about this?
I have a pretrial conference before the judge.
I also just found out that Ms. 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
and challenged 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 gonna stab me
with his pruning shears for filing a suit.
But unless the church backs down,
I don't see how we settle.
Gotta 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 at trial.
Tommy, Ms. Batista isn't gonna settle.
I have to get to the courthouse.
Hm-mmm. Go get 'em.
Always do, partner. Hey...
do you mind checking on Ally? See if she needs anything.
- Enrico Renzulli. - Thomas Reilly.
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. Reilly.
Law Offices of Finlay and Dunbar.
And defense counsel?
For the Archdiocese and Cardinal Bishop Jose Sierra,
Monsignor Enrico Renzulli,
counsel of the 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.
Before I renew decision,
have you two had a chance to speak?
No, Your Honor.
Well, Mr. Reilly, 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.
And let's say you show the Monsignor some hospitality.
See if we can't come to a resolution
before we go any further.
Counsel, step back.
Defendant's motion to dismiss
has been marked submit.
Parties will be back in this courtroom on Friday.
Looks like I'm buying.
No need.
Come by the Cardinal's home for dinner this evening.
- Thank you for coming. - Thanks for having me.
- Would you like a drink? - Uh, sure.
- 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 Ms. 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 Touran.
It's a psychologist appointed by the Archdiocese
to screen potential seminarians.
Who 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, there's a camera.
I'm with the C1 News Agency.
I don't care where you work.
You're gonna get out of here. Do you understand me?
Yeah. Yeah.
- Hello. - Nicki, it's Tommy.
I was, I was just thinking about you.
Want to see what you're up to tonight.
Why?
Cause 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.
The press have found Ally.
I'll be right there.
You okay?
I'm fine.
Do you mind taking her bag to the car?
Yeah.
Are you absolutely sure that you wanna 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.
You can't fault a guy for trying to protect you.
Let's go.
Jane, 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 clear.
Mr. Reilly,
do you think you really have a case?
I'm not even gonna answer that.
What's the matter?
That's. That's the guy from the picture.
- No, no. That's the guy. - Come on.
Hey!
- Oh, excuse me. - Ma'am, excuse me.
- Can you answer more questions - Excuse me. Let me...
- about the case, please. - Excuse me.
He got away. He ran up an alley.
- We'll get him. - Mm-mmm.
Let's sit.
Will the counsel please approach the bench?
Did we work anything out?
Yeah.
Okay, let's go.
On the docket this morning is a hearing on a 12B6 motion
to dismiss filed by the defendants.
A motion, uh, Monsignor, it's your motion.
Your Honor, it is our position that the plaintiff is attempting
to insert the government
into the defendant's religious practices,
which has no precedent in American law.
Uh, 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. Reilly, 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 assume jurisdiction
over the Church of the Latter Day Saints
regarding their religious right to polygamy.
The courts ruled that the civil laws
against polygamy outweigh the church's right
to the practice under the first amendment.
There is no difference here.
Are you finished, Mr. Reilly?
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 a 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. Reilly, 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 know what you're saying. - Great work y'all.
Great job.
A lot of hard work to do and a tough road ahead.
But here's to Ally.
- To Ally. - 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. Reilly, I'm Alejandra.
If you're gonna be mad at anyone, be mad at me.
Mr. Reilly's just doing his job.
You have no right to do this.
No disrespect, but I not only have the right,
I have the obligation.
Mom.
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 don't wanna cause you any grieve with your family.
It's God's will, right?
What the hell is this?
Oh my God. It's him.
Jesus.
It's okay.
- You okay? - Yeah.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
He's gone.
Oh, thank God.
Oh my God. What happened, mija?
I'm okay, mama.
No, you aren't. You had an accident.
Mr. Reilly,
my daughter's life is in your hands.
And you're doing a very lousy job protecting her.
I know, sir.
I've already gotten more security.
Do you see what you've gotten yourself into,
Alejandra?
I'm sorry, papa.
Mr. Reilly. You may call your first witness.
I call Dr. Sylvia Touran.
Your Honor, Dr. Touran is a licensed psychiatrist
in the state of Louisiana.
Defense counsel acknowledges that she is used by the Diocese
in interviewing applicants to the seminary.
I respectfully request
that she's entered in this court as an expert.
Granted.
Dr. Touran, would you please describe the process
by which you examine applicants to 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. Touran?
That she would be a tremendous candidate
to the seminary.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Monsignor Renzulli.
Dr. Touran, 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. Touran?
I like to see women succeed.
Yes.
No further questions, Your Honor.
- Mr. Reilly, redirect? - No, Your Honor.
This court will adjourn for lunch until 2 p.m.
at which time the plaintiff will call their next witness.
All rise.
See you in the morning.
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.
Would 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 want to go
with this unnecessary exercise?
And let's have no talk of winning and losing.
The church will never let Ms. Batista 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.
Uh, Your Honor, may, may we know why?
Uh, Your Honor, may...
That's okay.
- Hey, baby. - Hey, Tommy.
Look, Nick, I thought about what you said.
And you're right.
I'm so sorry.
I do need you.
Hey, Nick?
Sorry, Tommy.
Come in.
- Where's Tommy? - He'll follow up.
Ms. 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 two 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, no, I'm not saying
this offer's being made by the church.
But let's say, there are individuals
interested in making this situation go away.
We're gonna settle. Renzulli's on board.
I can't believe you went to Renzulli behind my back. -Mmm.
That's of no importance.
What is important, is that win or lose,
Ms. Batista's gonna be a novelty the rest of her life.
You wanna help that girl,
help her walk away with millions of dollars.
She'll never go for it.
You never know how someone will respond
till you ask the right question.
You talked to her.
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 partner.
- 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 may be a little hard headed.
But you're definitely not hard hearted.
♪ Over 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 ♪
♪ Running through fields ♪
Hello?
Hey, Ally, it's me.
Okay.
Let's do this.
- Sister Jean? - Yes?
Willis Thompkins. 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?
Vick.
Sister, please tell me everything you know about him.
- Well, he lives down the street. - Where?
The Quartermain apartments on Poydras.
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.
Mm-hmm. Thank you, Sister. That was very helpful.
Thank you.
You're welcome and God bless you.
Are you the landlord here?
- Why? - Is this where Vick Vargas lives?
Who wants to know?
I'm an investigative attorney. Is he here?
Can you give me a key to his room?
No.
Second floor. Last door on the left.
Hey, Tommy.
Yeah, I got some great news.
I could use that.
Our guy, he lives across the street from the church.
Yeah, one of the sisters recognized him.
Under our noses the whole time.
I'm in his apartment right now. Hold on.
This dude is Four Loko.
Got Ally's face plastered all over his walls.
Only one problem, he's MIA.
- Find him. - I'm on it.
Yeah well, I'm about to call the cops.
I'm just gonna stay here till 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, Ally? I'd like to proceed.
Most 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 are not male.
- Is that correct? - Objection.
Question calls for a conclusion
of the witness not within her scope of knowledge.
Mmm. 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.
Ms. Batista, 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'm 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.
Ms. Batista, there's 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 are just seeking publicity.
Objection.
Counsel isn't asking questions. He's lecturing the witness.
Sustained.
Monsignor Renzulli,
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 I was 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 Ally.
Police. They found something.
I, I'm heading back there.
Hey.
- Hey, Tommy. - I don't want that.
Take the gun, Tommy.
A gun, Tommy?
The jury really responded to you.
They may not understand your 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 did you guys find?
We gotta go. Come on.
Hey, Silk.
Hey, Tommy. He knows where she is.
You gotta get out of there.
I'm on my way. Get out of there now!
We need backup.
Go! Let's go!
Hey.
We gotta get you outta here.
Vargas knows where you are.
It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
It's okay.
Ah!
Shhh. Let's get out of here.
Shhh.
Don't move.
When the wicked advanced against me...
Stay right there.
...it will be my enemies and foes...
- Tommy, please don't shoot him. - ...and those
- who will stumble and fall. - Tommy, please don't shoot him.
- Ally, get the hell outta here. - I can only be...
- No! Don't! - Stop.
Help!
- You must repent. - Help!
Help!
I will force you until you renounce your sins.
And have begged God for his forgiveness.
- Look! - Help!
Hey! No, no, no, no.
Hey, hey. Hey, come here.
- Ally! Oh, Jesus! - Tommy!
- Wake up. Hey! - Tommy!
Oh God! Ally!
- Jesus! - Ally.
Ally!
Everything's gonna be all right.
No.
It's not ever gonna be alright.
We shouldn't be doing this.
Maybe this is my punishment for going against the church.
Maybe this is God's will.
No, Ally, this is not God's will.
This is the work of a crazed lunatic.
You're the bravest person I ever met.
Don't doubt yourself.
You weren't wrong.
We were wrong.
It's okay. It's okay.
I have to get ready for court.
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.
All right. 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 a priest?
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.
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
for a woman in Palestine and 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. Reilly.
Bishop Sierra.
You said there's 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
at 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 the result of the social customs
with the time which Jesus lived?
No.
Monsignor Renzulli objected to a question
that I asked Ms. 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 priests?
The Pope has declared that the priesthood
shall be limited to the male gender
on the clear example of Jesus.
And that, Mr. Reilly, 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.
Uh, 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 dispensation
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. Reilly,
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 a priest.
No matter how qualified,
or how committed she is,
to the Catholic Church and to God.
Let Alejandra Batista have her dream.
Monsignor Renzulli, 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 would flip
if he knew you were anywhere near this case.
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 Ally says, it's God's will.
No matter what the results are.
Yeah. Thanks.
They're back.
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 accept Ms. Batista.
However...
Am I gonna be a Catholic priest?
We won on both counts.
The church discriminated against you,
because you are a women
and they had no justifiable basis in doing so.
Thank God.
So, can I start the seminary in the fall?
No, Ally.
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 the seminary.
I remember.
An injunction's only available if you have no other options.
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, Ally.
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.
- I'm so happy. - Yes!
I'm gonna come play with you. Okay?
Aaw!
I'm back.
Thanks to Renzulli.
Has anything changed?
No.
But this allows us to fight another day.
Let's go. Let's go. Let's go.
Everyone's okay?
Subtitles by explosiveskull