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What They Are Saying: On Passion Plays and Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ"
Updated: April 1, 2004


The Catholic Church and other mainstream churches have issued clear guidelines for the presentation of Passion plays. More recently, prominent Christian leaders and others have spoken out about the need for Mel Gibson's film based on the Gospels to be sensitive to concerns about dramatic presentations of the Passion and the role of Jews in the Crucifixion.

The following is a compilation of important statements on Passion plays and Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."

"…neither all Jews indiscriminately at the time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during His passion. It is true that the Church is the new people of God, yet the Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accused as if this followed from Holy Scripture. Consequently, all must take care, lest in catechizing or in preaching the word of God, they teach anything which is not in accord with the truth of the Gospel message or the spirit of Christ."
   -- Nostra Aetate, Second Vatican Council


"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has committed itself to 'live out our faith in Jesus Christ with love and respect for the Jewish people' … Our Guidelines for Lutheran-Jewish Relations include reminders that 'the New Testament … must not be used as a justification for hostility towards present-day Jews,' and that 'blame for the death of Jesus should not be attributed to Judaism or the Jewish people.' In keeping with these commitments, we view with concern recent public reports regarding the forthcoming film on the Passion by Mr. Mel Gibson."
   -- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America , Department for Ecumenical Affairs


"Christians who saw or heard the Passion, especially during the Holy Week before Easter, have reacted violently against the nearest Jews. We even know of some Christian rulers in the Middle Ages who warned the local Jews to stay indoors on Good Friday in order to protect them from violence. That's more than just a bad review. So our response to this story is important in ways it will not be for other stories. We have a responsibility to be informed and to consider the larger picture in which the Passion is presented. Anti-Jewish images and slogans born in by-gone Passion portrayals are still used to slander Israel and the Jews. Therefore, every presenter of the story must be alert to its potential for doing 'collateral damage'".
   -- The Christian Scholars Group on Christian-Jewish Relations, Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning


"Passion Plays have often been theologically and morally problematic. Specifically, their portrayal of Jews collectively as killers of Christ has historically fomented hatred and violence toward Jews …. "… We call on Christian leaders, in the United States and throughout the world, publicly to affirm their churches' teachings on appropriate portrayals and interpretations of the Passion and to make these teachings readily available to the general public."
   -- Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations


"Some who have seen the film report that they find no anti-Semitism in it. Others who have seen it maintain that it is plainly anti-Semitic. Still others observe that, even if it not be anti-Semitic in itself or in the intention of the filmmaker, it might occasion or deepen anti-Semitism in others.

"Should this last forecast be verified, all of us would, of course, be the losers. Hence, we must do everything that we can to avoid such an outcome. To this end, I would offer two suggestions.

"First, in our pulpits, our Catholic schools, our catechetical programs and our adult education classes, we need to repeat with clarity and vigor Catholic teaching about the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. The Son of God Made Man chose to sacrifice Himself on Calvary's cross as a victim for our sins and the sins of all men, women and children of all time. He gave His Life for us. No one took it from Him. This is, and has always been, Catholic doctrine.

"Second, we must teach ''in season and out of season'' that any suggestion of enmity toward any individuals or groups because of their race, ethnic background or religion is morally reprehensible and totally rejected by the teaching authorities of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. As regards the Jewish people and the death of the Lord, the matter is crystalline clear in numerous official documents and statements."
   -- Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, March 2004


"(Mel Gibson's film) could be used to support anti-Semitic opinions. ... In this film, the face of Christ shows through less than the obsessions of our times -- the dread of evil, fascination with violence and the search for the guilty. (The film's) violence, which overwhelms the spectator, ends up blotting out the meaning of the Passion and the essence of Christ's person and message -- love carried to its perfection by the voluntary giving of one's self. ... Isn't it paradoxical that a film about Jesus cannot be shown to children?
   -- -- Statement from The Conference of Bishops of France, Standing Committee for Information and Communication, March 31, 2004.


"With regard to the accusation that the movie was anti-Semitic, the congregations and priests carry a great responsibility. The gospel of the suffering, dying and resurrection of Jesus Christ is to be celebrated as a message of salvation, which does not condemn certain groups. Therefore it is in the spirit of respect to the Jewish people and the Jewish faith to proclaim, with the words of the Good Friday Intercession for the Jews: God 'protect them in the faithfulness to His covenant and in the love of His name.' We strongly warn against making The Passion of the Christ an instrument of anti-Semitism.”
   -- Statement by the German Bishops Conference, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany, March 4, 2004


"In the Jewish community the debut of the film has raised fears by some that it will spark more anti-Semitism in a world already witnessing an ugly revival of that evil. I understand those fears that are based unfortunately on the shameful history of Jews being blamed and persecuted for the Crucifixion.

"I am not a theologian, but as a layman I believe the Gospels are clear. The sins of all mankind, including my own, required the voluntary sacrifice of God's son. Jesus Himself makes it clear that his Life was not taken by any group of men. In John, chapter 10 verse 18 he says, 'No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.'

"I condemn anti-Semitism in all its forms -- religious or political. I pledge to redouble my efforts to bring Christians and Jews together and heal the wounds of the past. I will continue to stand in solidarity with the state of Israel in the face of an enemy that relentlessly teaches its children to 'kill the Jew.' I urge all men and women of goodwill to pray for reconciliation and an end to bigotry."
   -- Gary L. Bauer, President, American Values, February 25, 2004


This film coming out is a magnificent portrayal of the life of Jesus. But I want you to know that under no circumstances should anybody come out of that film having any anti-Semitic statements. And we don't want to see any rise in this nation of anti-Semitism because of this film. The film is a portrayal of the Gospels; it is not an indictment of Jews or Romans. It is an indictment of all of us who are sinners, and the Lord has laid upon Him, the Messiah, the sin of transgressions of us all. So keep that in mind. If any of this comes up, put it down as fast as you can. Don't let it grow. It is a poisonous seed, and we want to do everything we can to stamp out anti-Semitism in the world, and not see anything that would foster it.
-- Pat Robertson, The 700 Club, February 23, 2004

"The idea of Jewish guilt was decisively repudiated more than 40 years ago by the Second Vatican Council, opening an optimistic new era in Christian-Jewish relations. Interfaith leaders do not want to see that era of good feeling reversed, and neither do we."
-- Catholic New York, February 2004.


"We want to assure each of you that the content of this movie will be used by us and the members of our congregations solely to tell the story of our faith and not to hold the Jewish people responsible for the death of Jesus. We believe that Jesus willingly died for all our sins and it is wrong to use this powerful and important story to foment anti-Semitism.

"We are sorry for any fear or anxiety that any of you feel concerning this movie and we hope that our commitment will in some way ease your concerns. All of us value the Jewish roots of our faith and we are committed to building lasting and respectful relationships between our communities."
--Open Letter to the Jewish Community of Denver, signed by 49 local Christian clergy, February 20, 2004.


"In producing and promoting this movie, Gibson is playing with dynamite. ... I'm not talking about a question of political correctness. This film is dangerously irresponsible."
-- John Dominic Crossan, Catholic Bible scholar and author, Detroit Free Press, February 19, 2004.


"The script, when we got it, shocked us." … (Catholic and Jewish scholars) "pinpointed its historical errors and - again, since Mr. Gibson has so trumpeted his own Catholicism - its deviations from magisterial principles of biblical interpretation."
   -- Paula Fredriksen , Professor of Theology, Boston College, a member of a panel of scholars that reviewed Gibson's original script.


"It is vital that we Jews and Christians talk together about this topic that has been a source of bitter division for centuries, led to violence against Jews, and compromised the integrity of the Christian proclamation of the Gospels."
   -- Sister Mary C. Boys , Catholic scholar, Union Theological Seminary


Popular movies, such as “The Passion of the Christ”, give all viewers an opportunity to reflect on historical events and to debate the meaning of them for our times. The crucifixion of Jesus has deep spiritual meaning for the Christian people. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus was a devout Jew of his day who suffered and died while bearing a message of salvation for all people. ... We, ourselves, take this occasion of public dialogue on the “Passion” movie, to express the Catholic Church’s deep respect for the Jewish people and opposition to any form of anti-Semitism.
   -- Charles V. Grahmann, Bishop of Dallas, and Joseph A. Galante, Coadjutor, Bishop of Dallas, statement in The Texas Catholic, February 2004


"The Catholic Church clearly teaches that neither the Jews at the time of Christ nor Jews today can be charged with His death. We sinners are the guilty ones for the crimes of His passion and death. That is why we lovingly and reverently refer to Jesus as "our Redeemer." The passion and death of Jesus was a horrific human suffering and it is essential to Christian identity and salvation. The gospels are clear that some Jews called for His death. But from apostolic times, the Church has professed, "He suffered under Pontius Pilate", a Roman governor. It would be tragic and abhorrent for anyone to use this film to stir-up anti-Semitic feelings. We will stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in trying to prevent any resurgence of anti-Semitism. I hope that Christians who see the movie will see themselves as responsible for Christ's death and that it will be a profound spiritual experience of repentance and conversion to a better Christian life.
   -- Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, The Diocese of Galveston-Houston, TX


"The Second Vatican Council definitively teaches us that 'neither all Jews indiscriminately at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during His Passion ... The Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accursed as if this followed from Holy Scripture.'

"I wish to make it clear to everyone who has seen or will see this movie, "The Passion of the Christ" that Sacred Scripture, and the dramatization thereof, must never serve as a source of division of hatred. And that there is nothing more contrary to the Gospel values of Jesus' teaching than racism and bigotry. Religion should never support violence or injustice."
   -- The Most Rev. James A. Murray, Bishop of Kalamazoo, Michigan, March 2004


"What is most unfortunate is that the film's shallow presentation on the life of Jesus and the significance of the resurrection will leave viewers focused on the harsh and cruel reality of the crucifixion of Jesus, offering little opportunity to identify with the life and hope offered in Jesus Christ for all mankind. The shallow presentation of the chief rabbi and his role, as well as the close personification of evil journeying with him, will give viewers an inaccurate and unjust portrayal of Jews and Judaism, and may contribute to fuel the ugly passion of anti-Semitism."
   -- The Most Rev. Stefan Soroka , Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, USA


"Mel Gibson showed me his film, "The Passion of the Christ" shortly before Christmas. No question, this is a very powerful film. I believe that it follows the New Testament's Gospel account fairly close. I agree with you 100 percent that our sins put Jesus on the cross. Each and everyone in the human race bear the responsibility. In no way do I hold the Jewish people responsible. Be assured that I will do everything I can to remind people of this fact."
   -- Franklin Graham , in a letter to ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman, January 28, 2004


"I believe there is a serious crisis building here. Without an addition of the kind we're urging, this film will be used to fuel anti-Semitism around the world."
   -- Michael Evans , a Dallas-based evangelical minister who is campaigning for a postscript to Gibson's film, Los Angeles Times, February 11, 2004


"Traditional anti-Semitism is at least 2,000 years old …. I think it's very appropriate to be very concerned that the film can fuel traditional anti-Semitism. And that the last thing we would need now is a combination of the two things. Because it's hard enough to face the new challenges much less to see some of the old ones revived, which with the actions of the Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II, I thought we had put behind us."
   -- Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani in remarks to the Anti-Defamation League, February 5, 2004


"Gibson is part of a breakaway group of Catholics which, in opposition to Church teaching, has restored the Latin Mass, and, most significantly, does not accept the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. It does not mean that Mr. Gibson is an anti-Semite, as some have charged, but it does mean that he has approached the making of a film on such a sensitive subject with what many see as remarkable insensitivity.
   -- Rabbi David Rosen , Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Houston, TX, August 16, 2003


"What I saw was the worst portrayal of Jesus on film I have ever seen. Stereotypic, anti-Semitic portrayals of the Jews abounded. Jews here are shysters and cold-blooded opportunists. That's just for starters. Mel Gibson's Jews are cruel and sadistic, taking turns with the Romans, as they beat Jesus for well over half the movie."
   -- Rabbi Robert N. Levine , Congregation Rodeph Sholom, New York City, after screening the film at the invitation of the New York Post.
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