- The Vatican has sprung to the defence of Mel Gibson's
film about the last 12 hours of Jesus' life, rejecting claims the movie
promotes anti-semitism.
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- Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos also dismissed suggestions
The Passion may offend Jews.
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- Some Jewish leaders claim the work suggests Jews were
responsible for the death of Christ, and could trigger anti-Semitic attacks.
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- "Anti-Semitism, like all forms of racism, distorts
the truth by putting an entire race in a bad light. This film does nothing
of the kind," Cardinal Hoyos said.
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- The Roman Catholic Church formally rejected Jewish culpability
in Christ's death nearly 40 years ago.
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- Cardinal Hoyos, a Colombian, is prefect of the Congregation
for the Clergy and heads a Vatican commission that is trying to bring ultraconservatives
back to the church. Gibson is a member of an ultraconservative Catholic
movement.
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- The film is expected to be released in the spring. Gibson
has defended his work as faithful to the Gospels and said it is intended
to "inspire, not offend."
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- Copyright © 2003 Ananova Ltd
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