Before the pastoral letter was written, Lipa Archdiocese Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, CBCP senior member, wrote Consoliza Laguardia, chairperson of the Movie and Television Classification Board (MTRCB), and requested her to prohibit the film's showing in the Philippines, where the majority are Christians, because of its "sacrilegious" and "blasphemous" nature.
Prior to composing the pastoral letter, Lipa Archdiocese Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, a CBCP senior member, contacted Consoliza Laguardia, MTRCB chairperson, asking her to prohibit the film's exhibition in the Philippines, where Christianity is predominant, because of its "sacrilegious" and "blasphemous" characteristics.