Catholic-Jewish group issues new warning on impact of 'Passion' film

Published: 2004-05-20

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A Jewish-Catholic dialogue group warned in a new statement that misinterpretations of "The Passion of the Christ" movie could prompt an "outbreak of the ancient scourge of anti-Semitism" and said that is already happening in the Muslim world. The Catholic-Jewish Consultation Committee, made up of representatives of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and the National Council of Synagogues, released the statement May 19, nearly a month after it was drawn up at the committee's semiannual meeting April 20 in New York. In addition to its reflections on the controversial Mel Gibson-directed movie, which has grossed more than $369 million worldwide since its Feb. 25 release, the statement also addressed "the persistence of anti-Catholic attitudes" in the U.S. media and in "certain intellectual circles" and the plight of Christians in the Holy Land. The committee is co-chaired by Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore, the bishops' episcopal moderator for Catholic-Jewish relations, and Rabbi Joel Zaiman, rabbi emeritus of Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Baltimore.

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