Posted on 02/25/2004 8:10:40 PM PST by Antoninus
Edward Cardinal Egan spoke up for the Jews as Mel Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ" was expected to play to packed houses when it opens today. Worried that Gibson's blood-drenched depiction of Christ's Crucifixion could spark a backlash, Egan reminded his flock that anti-Semitism is "morally reprehensible and totally rejected" by Catholic doctrine.
"One can safely conclude that what will appear on our movie screens will entail a good deal of extreme human suffering," Egan wrote in a letter to be read at Sunday Mass in March.
He stressed that Jews should not be blamed for the death of Christ and pointed out that Catholic teachings hold that Christ "gave His life for us. No one took it from Him."
Egan had no plans to see Gibson's movie, which was expected to have a smashing Ash Wednesday debut in 35 New York theaters and at more than 2,000 cinemas across the country.
In addition to conservative Christians, who have bought tickets in bulk, the prerelease hype also has piqued the interest of many New Yorkers not inclined to see a religious movie.
"I think we'll see it out of morbid curiosity," said Catherine Crawford, 32, of Brooklyn, a Catholic married to a nonobservant Jew.
Many movie critics - including the Daily News' Jami Bernard - panned the movie, ripping Gibson for scapegoating Jews and for playing down the role of the Romans in the death of Christ.
Worried Jewish leaders staged a noisy protest yesterday outside a Times Square movie theater where "The Passion" was playing. "It was beyond anything that I imagined prior to seeing the film," said Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), who saw it Monday. "I don't have any doubt this film will cause anti-Semitism. I don't have any doubt that this film will result in violence."
David Weprin, chairman of the City Council Finance Committee, added: "This is not the type of film we need in New York. It brings back ancient divisions."
Even some of those who were allowed into early showings expressed reservations about the way Jews were depicted.
"If I was Jewish myself, I'd be angry about certain parts of it," said A.J. Thompson, 52, of Harlem. "They welcome Jesus into town and a few days later they want to crucify him."
But Thompson's view was not widely held among those who have seen the film.
"It's not at all anti-Semitic," said Jason Ingrassia, 26, of Staten Island, a Jew who describes himself as born-again. "It wasn't just Jews. They showed the Romans beating and whipping him."
Leora Hines, 45, of Brooklyn, said, "Jews played a role" in the death of Christ.
"But it was also part of God's plan," Hines said. "I hope they come out with part two."
It's that kind of talk that frightened former Mayor Ed Koch, who urged Gibson "to be decent" and add an explainer to the movie reminding viewers that Romans killed Christ.
"You're playing with fire and you have to be particularly careful," he said.
Gibson, an ultra-conservative Catholic, repeatedly has denied that his movie is anti-Semitic. He also boasted to Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly last night that the movie would be a hit because of the prerelease controversy the movie has generated.
Nonetheless, Rep. Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) warned the movie "has the potential to create rifts between communities through a depiction of powerful caricatures and stereotypes."
He requested extra police protection for the heavily Jewish neighborhoods of Canarsie, Midwood and Williamsburg. Police said they have Brooklyn covered.
As far as Egan's condemning anti-semitism, what's your problem with that? There's already a couple of examples of some fundamentalist pastors blaming the Jews for Christ's death, one using a billboard to proclaim his ignorance.
Some folks don't like movies. I knew an old priest in the 70s who had never been to a movie in his life; he wouldn't even go see the Sound of Music.
I can't stand to go to theatres, but we'll go see this movie, when I'm not elbow-to-elbow with somebody.
It'll be around for awhile.
And Judas had no plans to see the actual crucifixion.
We have to be careful because, frankly, do we really know which side we would have been on? Would we have been any better than Peter, and the other apostles, who ran away?
One can always count on you to be ridiculous. You clowns have run away from the successor of Peter.
I can't. These Bishops are moronic jackasses. This is a once in a lifetime historical opportunity for evangelizing and showing the true sacrifice of love (in particular that of our Savior) and they're going to kowtow to some bleating leftists with a political and financial agenda?
It's not in any way "anti-semitic"... that's a bunch of crap. These kooky bishops are liberals and part of what's wrong with the modern church. The problem is THEM, not how Christ died. They have issues with the Gospel, which happens to be the basis of our religion.
These worldly fools should be defrocked, excommunicated and dunked into the East River for failing their flock, insulting Christ and negligent malingering while on duty. They've apparantly lost their way.
Absolutely, and I thought that the movie made quite clear that we are all sinners, and that Christ died for and because of us.
I'd say a clown is someone who falls on his sword for a pervert Bishop in the middle of a disgusting sexual scandal complete with dead bodies and witnessing victims.
That's my definition of a REAL clown. Not someone pointing out the absurdity of a malingering phoney bishop.
It's a movie, BEST. If they don't want to see it, they don't have to see it.
You're going to have to stop jumping offside if you want to be taken seriously.
Relax.
BTW, have YOU seen the movie? If not, you really ought to shut the hell up.
Did Egan say this, or did the writer assume it?
This movie is cinematic Catholicism: it's a filmed version of the Stations of the Cross, with a strong emphasis on Mary and the Eucharist. I am appalled that too many of the bishops are afraid of this movie, and are instead devoting their energy to appeasing those who hate it.
Yeah, right.
As if you're a faithful subject to Rome, deacon.
Go back to cesspool and continue your arguments for an incelibate priesthood and artificial birth control. If being in communion with you and other apostate officers of the Church is the only path for communion with Rome, I'll take a pass, Bozo.
I am, Irish. Much, much more than you.
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