[sitetest]

Dear SJackson,

"Consider theft, two issues. A transgression against God by violating a commandment. Also a transgression against the individual, which requires a both a sincere, secular apology and reimbursement."

From a Catholic perspective, if you stole some money, you'd have to return the money to its rightful owner, if you could. However, that's a pretty concrete kind of thing, and what constitutes restitution is pretty obvious. From a Catholic perspective, however, what would constitute "restitution" in this case is not at all clear.

"(should I have capitalized that?)"

I don't find it offensive if folks don't. I tend to capitalize the sacraments when I name them, and I capitalize the word "Mass" when referring to our principal liturgy.

Anyway, the reason why I linked to the other article was not to get into it with either Mr. Foxman or Mr. Donahue, but because the link reported the view of a Catholic priest regarding Mr. Gibson's apology, which seemed to indicate that, from a Catholic perspective, his apology was adequate and acceptable. Here's the money quote:

"I asked Father Tom Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, to respond to Foxman's statement on the Gibson arrest. Father Euteneuer's response is as follows:"

'Mr. Foxman claims that Mel Gibson did not give a "proper apology." Can this man ever be satisfied?

"Gibson said that he disgraced himself and his family by his behavior and apologized for his anti-Semitic remarks which, by his admission, he spoke in an altered state and does not believe to be true. And that's not enough?

"According to Catholic principles Mel exhibited all the elements of a proper reconciliation: contrition with a firm purpose of amendment, confession and (he is in the process of doing) penance.

"The greatest penance is that this all came out in the public forum: Foxman and the ADF should get off his back."


sitetest

[SJackson]

"Gibson said that he disgraced himself and his family by his behavior and apologized for his anti-Semitic remarks which, by his admission, he spoke in an altered state and does not believe to be true. And that's not enough?

The apology I read goes like this.

After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed.

I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs.

The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.

I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable.

I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior.

They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself.

I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry. I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse.

I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health.

There's a tad of specificity regarding the LEOs.

Personally I think he should have addressed them by name.

He acknowledged his alcoholism. A good thing, both at AA and publicly. But not an excuse.

Digracing his family, acknowledged specifically, a good thing.

The multiple *uck the Jews, the Jews cause all the wars (similar to the comment of a murderer 12 hours later, unfortunately) comments, addressed in the general things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable comment I suppose.

If the Father considers that an apology for his antisemitic views, that's fine.

Foxman and Donahue and Mel's supporters can fight it out.

I've defended him before, reluctantly, I think he's a Jewhater now.

My mind will be changed only by future actions.

And yes, "restitution" , the wrong word but what can we use, is very difficult, and very personal in a situation where damage isn't clear in the coin of the realm.