Vatican Cardinal recommends Mel Gibson’s film "The Passion"

Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy in the Vatican, is urging the public, especially Catholic priests throughout the world, to see Mel Gibson’s film The Passion, which depicts the suffering and death of Jesus.

In an interview the Cardinal said: As I watched this yet unfinished version of the film, I experienced moments of profound spiritual intimacy with Jesus Christ. It is a film that leads the viewer into prayer and reflection, into heartfelt contemplation. In fact, as I told Mr. Gibson after the screening, I would gladly trade some of the homilies that I have given about the passion of Christ for even a few of the scenes of his film."

The Cardinal expressed his opinion that one of the films great achievements was to show both the horror of sin and selfishness, and the redeeming power of love.

He said the film "makes the viewer want to love more, to forgive, to be good and strong no matter what, just as Christ did even in the face of such terrible suffering." He also clarified that the film is not anti-Semitic for it does not distort the truth nor makes an attempt to put a whole race of people in a bad light.

Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos hailed the film as a "triumph of art and faith. It will be a tool for explaining the person and message of Christ.

I am confident that it will change for the better everyone who sees it, both Christians and non-Christian alike. It will bring people closer to God, and closer to one another."