Archbishop of Sydney

By His Wounds We Are Healed

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
20 February 2004

Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion” is a contemporary masterpiece, artistically and technically.  It is not absurd to compare it with the paintings of the Italian master Caravaggio, because of its beauty and drama. 

As a film it belongs to the twentieth century, the cruellest in history, because of its graphic violence and its technical mastery.

But more importantly the film shows us how Jesus redeems us from our sins. His message is one of universal love, certainly love for his own people, the Jews.

This film is not anti-Semitic because the multitude of heroes are Jewish.  We witness a terrible quarrel within the Palestinian Jewish community.  Neither Jesus, nor anyone else calls for revenge.  He explains that his attackers do not know what they are doing.  Neither does the film lay the blame for Jesus’ death on the Jewish nation. The message is forgiveness and love.

Generations of believers will see Mel Gibson’s “The Passion” as a classic.  But it is strong meat.  Not for the faint hearted.