The Magdalene Sisters

The Magdalene Sisters

For an institution steeped in stiff moral fiber, the Catholic Church sure does get some bad press in the movie world. In 2002, Peter Mullen’s movie, The Magdalene Sisters, caused such a stir with the cloth that it was officially banned by The Vatican. The movie depicts – supposedly with toned down accuracy – the atrocious conditions in which “fallen” Irish Catholic women were kept during their stays in Magdalene Asylums, workhouses in which they were meant to be looked after. Whether it truly touched a nerve or whether the Pope was just tired of all the defamation, we can’t say, but one thing that’s certain is that Mullen won’t be holidaying in Rome anytime soon.