Martin Sheen is supporting Charlie at this time “with prayer”

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These are new photos of Martin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez, promoting The Way in London yesterday. Emilio directed the movie, and Martin stars. When The Telegraph spoke to Martin, shockingly (!) they didn’t really want to talk about the movie. Instead, Martin fielded questions about his other son’s breakdown. Although Martin visited Charlie during his brief hospitalization a few weeks ago, it seems like Martin has kind of thrown up his hands about the Charlie situation at this point:

Martin Sheen, the actor, said he is praying for his troubled son Charlie and wants to appear on screen with him again. The West Wing star said the actor, who has fought a well-documented battle with drugs and checked into rehab last month, had the backing of his family.

When asked how he was supporting his son, Sheen replied: “With prayer. We lift him up and we ask everyone who cares about him to lift him up, and lift up all those who are in the grip of drug and alcohol abuse, because they are looking for transcendence.”

Speaking at the UK premiere of his new pilgrimage film The Way at London’s British Film Institute, the 70-year-old – who acted alongside Charlie in the 1987 film Wall Street – said he would be happy to work with him in the future.

“That would be another miracle and we’d look forward to it, very much so,” he said.

In the film – directed by another of his three sons Emilio Estevez – Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who embarks on the 500-mile Camino de Santiago walk to collect the remains of his dead son. Sheen said the well-trodden route, from the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in the north west of Spain, was a journey worth taking.

“I think people are looking for transcendence, particularly in the West. We seek to touch the sacred somehow. I think that’s why people use drugs and alcohol, they’re looking for some transcendental experience in their lives,” he said.

The actor and political activist said the current unrest in the Middle East was “a great reflection of dissatisfaction” – and insisted he was proud of how US president Barack Obama was performing.

He continued: “The world’s population is nearly seven billion now and most of them are have-nots. We live in the Western world, we don’t have any way of measuring that differentiation. The world is hungry and the world is in desperate need of justice, of peace, of harmony, of sharing.”

The Way also stars Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt, Canadian actress Deborah Kara Unger, and Estevez, who makes an appearance as the son of Sheen’s character.

“We look at this film like a retelling of The Wizard Of Oz,” Estevez said.

“Martin’s character is Dorothy, Nesbitt’s is the scarecrow, and they’re looking for the wizard – but instead of going to Oz, they’re going to Santiago de Compostela.”

[From The Telegraph]

Damn, Emilio made a movie in which he cast his father as a father whose child has died. Goodness. Timely, I guess. You know… I have sympathy for Martin, I really do. But his comment about prayer reminded me of that joke. A man asked a Jesuit priest what the shortest prayer is. The priest answers, “F-ck it.” Meaning, “F-ck it, it’s in God’s hands.” I believe Martin is praying for his son. But I also think that at this point, there’s isn’t much more for Martin to do other than throw up his hands and give the shortest prayer.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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22 Responses to “Martin Sheen is supporting Charlie at this time “with prayer””

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  1. sickofit says:

    well yes he was such a good father indeed when he send charlie to the hos, aged just 18 *rolls eyes*

  2. lilred says:

    Well,really what can he do? If Charlie wont help himself Martin can’t do it for him.

    Charlie has to want to get sober I don’t see that happening.

  3. poppy says:

    he ought call in the pope at this stage.
    still won’t be enough.

  4. malachais says:

    Aside from Martin saying prayers for his son, the most interesting part of this story was seeing a recent pic of Emilio and finding out he’s working. Emilio’s still hot! IMO

  5. L says:

    Ah President Barlett. If only.

  6. susanne says:

    I like the Jesuit prayer- thanks for that!

  7. k says:

    I think he needs tough love more than prayer. It’s too bad someone can’t seize all of his assets and send him away to get scared straight.

  8. Johnny Depp's Girl says:

    FEEL SORRY FOR HIM, REALLY

  9. Isabel says:

    Charlie is a full blown adult. Pun intended.

    What is Martin supposed to do? Honestly, what? I agree with Kaiser. I don’t know what else is left for this man in terms of “helping” a completely drugged-out, washed up addict. Like the interventionists always say…Charlie has to find his rock bottom. Hopefully that doesn’t mean death.

    Side note, EMILIO!!!!!!! Good job, man! I love it!

    And I really really miss President Bartlet.

  10. Crash2GO2 says:

    He’s doing exactly the right thing. That IS tough love. You love the person, but you have to go on with your life, because there is nothing you can do to save someone who is an adult and is hellbent on self destruction.

  11. Diane says:

    Pray away, Martin.

  12. Bodhi says:

    Well it isn’t surprising, seeing as how Martin is a very devout Catholic. I don’t know anything about his past, but I do know that he is uber-Catholic now. He attends Mass at my parents’ church when he is in town & its a trip to see him walk down the aisle!

    Anyway, Crash is totally right; what he is doing is tough love. He can’t be expected to put his entire life on hold to tend to his adult son’s problems.

  13. Just Me says:

    Crash2GO2: Well said!
    Re: the Jesuit joke: That answer is false!
    The shortest and most powerful prayer is the same throughout the universe.
    It is simply, “Help”!

    My take is that Charlie Sheen is a man on the run!
    ‘Running FROM’ something in his past that he can’t face and
    ‘Running To’ a place with drugs and sex-ploits that
    he thinks will allow him to escape himself.
    Unfortunately, it doesn’t work.
    If, for years, one continues to do the same thing over and over again one will always end up at the same place with the same results getting worse at each attempt.
    As for Martin and Janet Sheen, no parent, unless they are adept at some magical hypnotism that we have yet to learn of, can change their addicted child – no matter what the age or addiction of their adult child.
    I Know! I Know! Yes, Charlie is a grown man not a ‘child’.! I totally agree and get it!
    But ask any parent how many children they have and they will always answer, I have # of children or I have one child
    regardless of their ages.
    I can only add my prayer that when the torment that Charlie and his family are going through ends it will end in a healthy way.

  14. ERM says:

    From past reports, Martin & family have tried everything. Sadly, Charlie is on the path to death and I’m not sure he really cares that much. He doesn’t care about his family including his 5 children & grandchild so what more can anyone else do.

  15. Bobby the K says:

    I don’t think Charlie sees himself a ‘battling with drug addiction’ – I get the impression he’s totally into it.

  16. mamalama says:

    Interesting his (Charlie’s) constant need to hav epeople around – can’t spend time with his own thoughts. Girlfriends (both professional and not), wives, etc. And if you won’t be with him for him, he’ll pay you to be with him. Yet another sadness in this already sad situation.

  17. Mary Jane says:

    I’ve dug Martin since he was in that Linda Blair kidnap movie back in the 70’s… So glad he other children he can be proud of! I loved Paula Abdul’s story about how Martin had forgotten her!

  18. Ruffian9 says:

    “…said he is praying for his troubled son Charlie …”

    Oh, well, that should do loads to help..

  19. Tess says:

    In the west, politics has replaced religion, even in churches. There is a deep hunger for spirituality.

  20. Fran says:

    Its sad to see someone loose control when addiction takes over their mind. Its obvious he is no longer in control. He is in the final stages of his disease. People need to re-evaluate the way they percieve addiction. It may be a matter of choice at first but there comes a point when it goes beyond choice and you loose control and you are in a battle with your mind. Your mind that controls all you say and do and its out to destroy you.

  21. Elena says:

    My prayers are for Martin and Janet Sheen. There is no greater pain than that of a Mother and Father losing their child. That is not the way it’s supposed to be.

  22. Louise says:

    Have always admired Martin Sheen’s contribution as an artist and humanitarian. Perhaps prayer with action is required especially if his son is a danger to himself or others. What about taking over as guardian – with all the money Charlie has he is a target for hangers on and people who are interested in exploiting him – his family and sincere, well-meaning friends are the important ones.