James Davis of Newsvine.com reviews CATHOLICISM

October 9, 2011: James Davis of Newsvine.com offered his review of the CATHOLICISM series. 

Cameras pan through majestic cathedrals; Hispanic children smile and sing; Africans dance in procession and Europeans pace reverently with lighted candles in Catholicism. The 10-parter fills both the eye and the mind, but not always successfully.

Produced by Word On Fire of Skokie, Ill., the documentary does as good a job as any in recent memory, in showing both the sweep and nuance of the Roman Catholic Church. An obvious motive is to balance the numerous news stories about priests accused of molestation. ButCatholicism also introduces viewers to theology and social teachings of the church. Unfortunately, it doesn't dwell a lot on the believers.

Host for the show is Word On Fire founder Father Robert E. Barron, who leads us on a travelogue across several continents. We see not only the usual St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, but also the Cathedral of St. John Lateran there. We also see historic churches in Cologne, Germany, Guadalupe, Mexico, Jerusalem and elsewhere. And we see worshipers in places like Kolkata, Kampala, Lourdes and Sao Paulo. It's a good illustration of how the church is indeed catholic, or universal.

Read the entire review here.