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One possible inaccuracy in this article, which could make a huge difference: the author refers to Mel Gibson's place of worship as "Church of the Holy Family," whereas other sources refer to it as "Holy Family Chapel."

If I recall correctly, a church must be authorized and consecrated by the diocesan bishop, whereas a chapel need not be. Does that sound right to you?

If I recall correctly, a church must be authorized and consecrated by the diocesan bishop, whereas a chapel need not be. Does that sound right to you?

Well, a stand-alone chapel still needs to be consecrated, if it is Catholic. I read on this thread that this "chapel" has a "congregation" of 70. Sounds like some kind of independent Catholic group, to me.

Whether or not one likes Mahoney, he is still the ordinary for Los Angeles. If Gibson built this chapel outside of his approval, then it's likely SSPX or even SSPV (though I can't imagine him submitting his movie to the Vatican if he thought the chair of Peter was unoccupied.)

your comments on church v chapel make sense.

In Europe, many rich people had private chapels where mass was said for them and those who worked for them. Some lay catholics have "adoration chapels" outside of churches to pray now that crime has forced churches to lock their doors.

Last year, one FR article mentioned the name of the priest who said mass for Gibson in california. He was not SSPX, but an independent priest, so that would be irregular.

However, mass was said daily on the set of "the passion" in Italy, by a regular priest.

Having lived in a PC diocese in minnesota, I can see how Gibson would hate the PC atrocities of the modern mass as portrayed by liberal bishops.

The answer is NOT the Latin mass per se but saying the mass with reverence and with the aim to worship God rather than the pep rally "look how wonderful we are God" type masses that the PC have foisted on too many diocese.