Anti-Semitism and Mel Gibson’s Passion

by Editor · February 4, 2004

Few films in cinematic history have contrived to attract so much attention from Christians and Jews alike as Mel Gibson’s as yet unreleased The Passion of the Christ.

For obvious reasons, many Christians are looking forward to the appearance of a high profile film that is faithful to the Scriptures.

Indeed, Mr Gibson’s stated intention was to present the Passion of our Lord faithfully, avoiding undue dramatic licence, right down to the languages spoken in the film. This documentary approach has found favour among many in the Catholic hierarchy including, according to some reports, Pope John Paul.

Some Church leaders believe that Mr Gibson’s film will result in many conversions, and as a tool of evangelisation alone, the release of The Passion of the Christ (scheduled in the United States for Ash Wednesday) will be welcome.

Not everybody is looking forward to The Passion, however. As we report this week, two US Jewish organisations, whose officials previewed the film, have voiced concern at a perceived anti-Jewish subtext.

This is at odds with the conclusion of many in the Vatican, who could not discern an anti-Semitic bias in the film. Likewise, Mr Gibson has denied claims of an anti-Jewish agenda.

The polarity of the respective positions highlights the chasm that continues to exist between Judaism and Catholicism.

The Catholic argument might point out that Jesus himself was a Jew, as were his followers and supporters at the time of his execution.

True, the baying mob comprised Jews, but this was circumstantial, and should not be seen as representative of Judaism. Certainly, Christians should not hold Jews in general then or now responsible for the killing of Jesus. Collective responsibility does not apply in this case (if indeed it ever does).

This is a valid and sensible argument. This approach might well have reassured Jewish concerns, had the Church consistently held it over almost 2000 years.

Alas, for much of its history, the Catholic Church has been party to discrimination against Jews. At times, Church leaders (including popes) spoke out against anti-Semitism; more often, they fanned it. Up till Vatican II, Catholics would refer to the “perfidious Jews” in the liturgy, while the word “ghetto” has its roots in the papally approved group areas policy in medieval Italy.

In the not too distant past, Jews were exposed to pogroms around Good Friday. Documents show that Jews-especially in countries such as Germany, Austria and Italy-were particularly exposed to violent attacks when the then widespread Passion Plays were performed.

Although Pope John Paul II’s profound mea culpa for Catholic offences against Jews has helped heal many wounds, such memories are deeply ingrained in the collective Jewish psyche.

Mr Gibson’s film is a modern Passion Play, and as such arouses understandable anxieties among Jews. Much as Catholics anticipate the release of The Passion of the Christ, Jewish concerns must be properly acknowledged and addressed.

At the very least, the film’s potential audience ought to be counselled, in pastoral documents or homilies, that the Catholic Church does not hold Jews collectively accountable for the crucifixion of Christ, and strongly repudiates any form of anti-Semitic discrimination