Bishops' reviewers see flaws but no anti-Semitism in 'The Passion'

Published: 2004-02-25

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops' Office for Film & Broadcasting faulted Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" for its "in-your-face rawness that is much too intense for children" but dismissed charges that the movie blames the Jews collectively for the death of Jesus. "Unflinching in its brutality and penetrating in its iconography of God's supreme love for humanity, the film will mean different things to people of diverse backgrounds," said the office's review. It added that co-writer, producer and director Gibson "has undoubtedly created one of the most anticipated and controversial films of recent times." Distributed to the Catholic press Feb. 25 by Catholic News Service, the review was written by Gerri Pare, director of the film and broadcasting office, staff member David DiCerto and office consultant Anne Navarro. The office is a New York-based division of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Office for Film & Broadcasting classification of the movie is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted.

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