The Perky Papist

John Kerry on "The Passion"

Democrat Kerry Urges Caution on 'Passion'

"I don't know," he said when asked if he would see the Mel Gibson (news) film about the last days of Jesus' life and its particularly harrowing focus on his crucifixion.

Kerry, a Catholic, said he was worried about the movie's potential anti-Semitism. Some critics have complained that Gibson portrays Jews as responsible for Jesus' death.

"I am concerned," he told reporters. "I don't know if it's there or not but there's a lot of it around now. I think we have to be careful."

Hunh? So is he personally worried about feeling anti-Semitic if he goes to see it? Or does he think that the American public is so unevolved that one movie would set us off on pogroms? Please elaborate.

(Yes, I know he's just parroting the same old blather. But that's why I hate the same old blather - either you insult yourself, or you insult all the Americans who go to see this movie.)

The first wave of the big study hits

Catholic Panel Rebukes Bishops for Abuse

The board said celibacy was not a cause of the scandal, but that the celibacy requirement may have attracted candidates for the priesthood who were seeking an escape from their sexual problems.

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with that.

The board came to no direct conclusions about whether gays should be ordained. However, it noted that "any evaluation of the causes and context of the current crisis must be cognizant of the fact that more than 80 percent of the abuse at issue was of a homosexual nature."

OMG!!! Are we actually going to discuss this issue???

It's unpleasant to be sure. And I'm one of those who thinks that celibate SSA men can definitely be good priests. But how do we have this conversation? 1. Charity in all things. 2. Forget that the world is watching (I know that's pretty well impossible, but we have to if we're going to do what's right for the Church, i.e., God's children).

Those are my humble suggestions, anyway!

Mark Steyn on Teresa Heinz - er, Kerry

TERESA HELL

This one's especially for you, G.!

"Reprint" of his NR "Happy Warrior" column. Lots of good quotes in this one, which is par for a Steyn piece, but this is my favorite:

So it’s not just that Kerry’s populism is bogus but that it seems bogus even by the standards of all the other bogus populists on the Democratic ballot.

Some local "Passion" coverage

Ministries reach out to emotional 'Passion' viewers

I love the last little graf:

Most religious leaders, however, are more reserved. They are hoping the film has legs after Lent.

So Hollywood!

Thousands attend Plano 'Passion' showings

[Jack] Graham [pastor of the mega-church Prestonwood Baptist], however, cautioned that the movie was “not entertainment.”

“It’s a movie,” he said, “that will change the world.”

Gary Cogill on "The Passion"

I'm going to quote his entire review, 'cause it's short and I liked the whole thing. He Gets It. Mr. Cogill is the reviewer for Dallas' WFAA-Channel 8 (ABC/Belo) and has "The Big Movie Show" on the TXCN news network (only in Texas - yes, we have our own news network, thanks to Big Brother Belo!). By-the-bye, I've never been disappointed seeing a film on his recommendation. Though of course I just don't see that many films, period.

The Passion of the Christ

04:59 PM CST on Wednesday, February 25, 2004

By GARY COGILL / WFAA-TV

The Passion of the Christ is the most violent R-rated film I have ever seen. It's also an emotional, deeply touching movie-going event. Based on the New Testament Gospel accounts of the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ, Mel Gibson's film is presented in Latin and Aramaic with subtitles, and it works.

Jim Caviezel plays Jesus with depth and astounding emotional range, from the Garden of Gethsemane all the way up the hill to the cross. His intense, humble Jesus has never been captured quite like this on film: a man who freely gives up his life and blames no one.

Gibson's film is deeply personal; it was even financed with his own money. What you can't see in this review are the non-stop, horrific images of beating and torture that play like an evil dream. Even Satan is represented, but so is Mary, the mother of Jesus, played by Romanian actress Maia Morgenstern, and you see the entire world of suffering on her face.

Biblical movies are often awkward, corny pageants. Gibson's film is just the opposite, with Oscar-worthy images by cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. This is a daring movie that demands you pay attention, and it's worthy of discussion, both as a religious and a cinematic event. The Passion of the Christ is the finest film in its genre.

All "Passion", All the Time

"The Passion of the Christ" coverage at dallasnews.com

News coverage, reviews, every point of view - and you can write your own 100-words-or-less mini-review.

Bishop Galante on "The Passion"

Joseph Galante: Film must be viewed in a context of faith

This is a film that I would recommend to Catholics and to all people of good will as an opportunity to live this Lenten season with greater awareness, with a deeper sense of sorrow and with a greater desire for repentance. I shall meditate on its scenes many times.

Good review. Thanks, Bishop.

No! No! Nooooooo!!!

Affleck, Lopez Wedding Scene Cut From Film

"I didn't know if (it was right) to leave it in," Smith is quoted as saying in the March 8 issue. "People might forget they're watching a picture, like, `Wait, didn't these two NOT get married?'"

Phew. Thanks, Kev. Mighta got reality mixed up with actors playing parts up on a screen.

(Though perhaps he's heard, "Duuuude! Silent Bob!" once too often to trust the reality-groundedness of all his fans.)

In other news, temperatures in Hades plunge, Satan gets parka out of storage

U.S. Lifts Travel Restrictions on Libya

Almost as strange as the Great Dictator Purge of 1989-90. What's next - Cuba?

(But, remember, as Howard Dean told us, the Iraq thing didn't have nuthin' to do with the whole Libya thing. Moammar's just doing this out of the goodness of his lil' ole heart.)

"Day by Day" on "The Passion"