Four Brothers Who Are Priests Discuss Movie By Cousin Mel

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — Four priests by the name of Gibson have more than a religious interest in The Passion of the Christ.

The four brothers are second cousins of the movie's producer, Mel Gibson, though they'll be quick to say they have never met their famous relative and can't get free tickets to the blockbuster.

Some are not shy, however, about using their familial connection to promote the Gospel.

“I've appeared on five different TV channels and been interviewed by radio and newspapers,” said Father Steve Gibson, a priest of the Diocese of Gary, Ind. “I was grateful for the opportunity to present a positive message not only about the movie, which I think is excellent, but also about Christ's love for all people.”

“I'm proud to be a relative of his,” he added. “He has a genuine story of faith to offer.”

Father James Gibson, a member of the Congregation of the Resurrection who is studying in Rome, said that, even though The Passion of the Christ opened in Italy during Holy Week, there has been a general awareness of the movie since it was filmed in that country.

“There seems to be interest for when the film comes out, but not really much controversy — yet,” he said in an e-mail to the Register on March 24. “I was very aware that the Passion was being filmed here and even went out to Cinecitta [the Rome studio in which it was filmed] one day. But it was guarded like an embassy and I didn't even bother asking about going in.”

The other two Gibson brothers who are priests will probably not get a chance to see the movie anytime soon. Father John Gibson recently joined the Carmelites and is a novice with the order in Poland. Father Thomas Gibson is a Carthu-sian monk in England.

The four brothers grew up in a Chicago suburb in “a big, faithful family” of 13 children, Father James said. Two of their sisters are in religious life. Though none of the children ever met Mel Gibson growing up, they were aware of their relationship.

“I knew of [Mel's] father from seeing him on ‘Jeopardy,’ where he won a ton of money and was able to move his family to Australia,” Father James recalled.

‘People Will Listen’

“I was glad to hear he was making the film, because I knew of the quality of his directing, beginning with The Man Without a Face,” Father James said. “I also saw Braveheart, which was a well-told epic and also showed how capable and unafraid Mel was in showing graphic — but very human — violence. The violence always has to do with the human spirit, with justice and injustice of man to man.”

“I have a high regard for his work and his motive for making the movie,” Father Steve said. “He hopes the movie will inspire people to look seriously at their lives and foster in their hearts sorrow and repentance for sin. People will listen to him because he's right at the heart of the culture.”

Father Steve does not agree with the claim by some that the movie is anti-Semitic in its portrayal of the Jewish leaders. He says the movie is about mankind's betrayal of God and Jesus’ love for the world.

About the violence of the scourging and Crucifixion scenes, he said, “I wouldn't bring very young people to the movie, but I wouldn't bring them to an operating room, either. They just can't deal with the reality and may not be able to see through the blood to the deeper purpose of what is going on. In both cases, healing is going on.”

As pastor of St. Mary's Parish in East Chicago, Ind., Father Steve has held discussion groups with parishioners about the movie and organized large groups to see it.

“The fact that he's Mel Gibson's cousin and appeared on television has gotten a lot of people interested,” said Albert Gutierrez Sr., who has seen the movie three times. “It seems there have been a lot more people coming to the parish, and I've heard people talking about him being Mel's cousin.”

“I've known Father Steve for a long time and knew beforehand that he was Mel's cousin, so it hasn't changed my view of him,” Gutierrez continued. “He's always been a good shepherd. He's done an amazing amount of good here.”

Alfredo Flores, who helped organize a group of 150 parishioners to see the movie, said, “I agree with Father Steve when he says that this will be the definitive movie on the last hours of Christ. No director is going to attempt to surpass this movie because the Holy Spirit was involved in making it.”

‘We Still Crucify Him’

Flores, 25, said more young people have become active at the church since the movie was released.

“Every Good Friday we have a living Stations of the Cross, and this year there are more young people than ever who want to be involved,” he said.

Father James Gibson hopes the movie will be well received in Italy and throughout Europe after it is released.

“I have no doubt that the Passion is radical … If it is not comfortable, it is because the Gospel is not comfortable,” he said. “That has nothing to do with Semites or Romans but the radical nonacceptance of the Son of God, who was God's way to save mankind and make us accepted, and acceptable, to him.

“From what I have heard, the point of the movie is that all of us have crucified Christ. I would hope that the net effect would be for us to realize that we still crucify Christ every day by unjust economy, dehumanizing poverty, terror and myriad forms of violence, not only in certain countries but in every society.”

Stephen Vincent is based in Wallingford, Connecticut.