Report: Mel Gibson is building church for his Catholic movement

AP | 3/09/03

[kattracks]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Actor Mel Gibson's father isn't shy about admitting his belief in conspiracy theories.

Hutton Gibson, an 84-year-old activist and author, says he believes the World Trade Center was destroyed by "remote control," not airliners hijacked by al-Qaida terrorists. He insists that every pope in the last 50 years has been illegitimate, and he denies that six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust.

"Go and ask an undertaker or the guy who operates the crematorium what it takes to get rid of a body," the elder Gibson says in Sunday's editions of The New York Times Magazine. "It takes one liter of petrol and 20 minutes. Now, six million?"

Gibson and his son, the star of blockbuster films like "Braveheart" and "Lethal Weapon," are practitioners of an ultraconservative Catholic movement known as traditionalism. The small splinter group seeks to revive orthodox practices that were abandoned several centuries ago by mainstream Catholicism.

The actor has been especially forthcoming about his religious affiliation recently. Gibson is building a traditionalist church on a 9,300-square-foot complex in Malibu, Calif., for about 70 members, the Times said. He is serving as the director, chief executive officer and sole benefactor of the church, which intends to conduct its Sunday Mass entirely in Latin. The property was purchased by a church group called Holy Family.

In addition, Gibson is directing a film that depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ. The movie, "The Passion," is in production in Rome, with the actors speaking only Latin and Aramaic.

Gibson declined comment for the Times article, but at a news conference to announce the film last September, he acknowledged the difficulty in finding a U.S. studio or distributor for the project.

"Obviously, nobody wants to touch something filmed in two dead languages. They think I'm crazy, and maybe I am. But maybe I'm a genius," Gibson said.

Still, while Gibson and his father belong to the same movement, they don't necessarily share the same beliefs.

"He doesn't go along with a lot of what his father says," an unnamed church elder at Holy Family told the Times.

[kattracks]

Still, while Gibson and his father belong to the same movement, they don't necessarily share the same beliefs.

"He doesn't go along with a lot of what his father says," an unnamed church elder at Holy Family told the Times.

So why did the AP choose to publish Gibson's father's beliefs in an article about Gibson, if he doesn't share those beliefs?

[nickcarraway]

Because they want to discredit them both?

[davisfh]

" So why did the AP choose to publish Gibson's father's beliefs in an article about Gibson, if he doesn't share those beliefs? "

Probably because Mel Gibson is a conservative guy and they would like to provide some linkage between him and his father's nutty ideas.

We all have people with crazy ideas in our families. They used to keep the nutty aunt in the basement but we're more enlightened and humane. Nowadays they keep her tied out in the back yard.

[Robert_Paulson2]

The typical hollywood ploy is to try and destroy M Gibson with accusations of anti-semitism... which this article leads us to the edge of.

The one about his film and the truth that jewish leaders of the time DEMANDED JESUS be crucified... is being attacked by some jewish leaders, out west in the la la land.

conservatives cannot get an even break.
We Were Once Soldiers, Brave Heart, the Patriot and such, were block busters... and spielberg the liberal cannot stand it. LOOK for an all out assault on Mel Gibson's movies and productions... by liberal groups.

Should be interesting.

[joesnuffy]

Mel is a traditional family man
an ardent patriot
and a fervent Christian
what's not to like and admire?
He's the liberals antithesis...an anathma to whorlywood and their media co-conspirators

[Brian Allen]

<< So why did the AP choose to publish Gibson's father's beliefs in an article about Gibson, if he doesn't share those beliefs? >>

I know you already know, fair, FRee, brave and bright kattracks -- but I'll say it anyway:

Because like all of the lunatic left's lickspittles AP is an envy-motivated and hatred and rage-engined nest of vipers that will -- short only of telling the truth -- go to any length to discredit Good American Men and Good American Motives.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

This is how the Left attacks those it cannot assimilate. Mel Gibson's views infuriates the powerful forces in the entertainment industry.

[Lion Den Dan]

A sure enough attack piece on a conservative and very talented Christian. If the Catholic Church still conducted Latin Mass and maintained the aura of awe and majesty of faith, I would embrace the Church and the Catholic Faith. As practiced today, I am put off by holding hands and singing Kum by ya, and hugging people I don't know and probably don't want to know. I am offended by left wing priests who blatantly violate U.S. Immigration laws, and a Church Hierarchy that cover up sexual crimes by the clergy.

Mel Gibson may have something in his back to basics Catholic Church.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

Remember this from an article you posted a few days ago?

But the Times article suggests that "The Passion" - the movie he's directing about the last 12 hours in Christ's life - could revive the medieval charge that it was the Jews who killed Christ.

Mel Gibson's unholy Sunday

[Northern Yankee]

Ping*

[Northern Yankee]

I wonder if Mel is taking members to his church? (I know a few people who would love to be attending those Masses!)

I do agree that the Catholic Mass has lost its aura. I still continue to attend Mass on a regular basis. My committment to my faith, and in the hopes I can help bring about changes that harken back to pre-Vatican 2 keep me involved.

A great Catholic conservative magazine out there called, New Oxford Review you might be interested in.

Check out their web site: www.newoxfordreview.com

[Terridan]

Especially the local Scientologists... they don't want the "Holy Family" anywhere near them.

[Terridan]

Anyone could attend, as it isn't a closed church. I wish I lived close by... the only pre-Vatican II church left in my area is 2 hours away, and last I heard, they were in a battle to stay open. Rome has moved away from the traditional and Latin mass church.
You see, it isn't tolerant of homosexuals communicating their agenda to the congregation! It is against the "pill" handed out to everyone but especially children! It is against communism and anarchy. Traditional teachings breed democracy and loyalty to church and state, (i.e. government)! Hey Mel, build another up here in Soddom and Gammorah! ;) Best wishes...

[isthisnickcool]

"Go and ask an undertaker or the guy who operates the crematorium what it takes to get rid of a body," the elder Gibson says in Sunday's editions of The New York Times Magazine. "It takes one liter of petrol and 20 minutes. Now, six million?"

Go ask the same people how many you can bury in mass graves.

What a ham-handed hit piece on Mel Gibson. Barf!

[Judith Anne]

I LOVE the NOR! What a great publication! I had a subscription for several years, now I read it online. Thanks for mentioning it here.

[Spirited]

Why this kind of "journalism" from the NYT?

My theory goes like this....They aren't selling enough newspapers with what they field so they thought they'd take a flier at being the "National Inquirer" for a day.

[GOPJ]

This is one ugly hit piece. Here's the logic: you drink ice tea, Hitler drinks ice tea, therefore you are as bad as Hitler.

[waxhaw]

I have no doubt that we'll be seeing a lot of innuendo and outright slander about Mel Gibson being published by the mainstream media in the weeks to come. He's producing a movie which portrays the Messiah and this portrayal is taken from the gospels. This disturbs those people who only use the Messiah's name as a curse and those people who regard the Messiah as a heretic rather than the Son of God.

[quebecois]

This is just a hit piece against Gibson. If his father is goofy, so what? It is not responsible or fair journalism to smear him this way.

[Northern Yankee]

Sounds great.

I will never forget when the Catholic church first initiated the handshake of peace. My parents loathed it, but did it out of courtesy.

One New Year's day we were coming out of church, and my father held our family back to watch the unfolding episode.

Our parking lot was at a the bottom of the hill, and old man Peterson, was trying to get up the hill with his car. He couldn't get the car up the hill, due to the fresh fallen snow, and kept sliding down the hill. We watched as car after car went around him. It was obvious he wasn't going to get out without some aid, yet these good Catholics, who had minutes ago shook hands with him in the name of peace, kept bypassing him.

Dad said, "Where is their Christian charity now?" He then said, "Now go help him get up the hill."

We did, and Mr. Peterson gratefully waved good bye, as he went on his way.

I make this point, because I love the solitude of prayer, and feel that the sign of peace just distracts me from my prayerful mood.

I still make the sign of peace, but continue to remind myself of that episode in my youth.