Bishops to issue booklet ahead of ‘Passion’ release

Two weeks before Mel Gibson’s anticipated “The Passion of the Christ” hits theaters on Ash Wednesday, the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops took steps to reaffirm church teaching that Jews did not share collective responsibility for the death of Jesus.

On Wednesday, the bishops announced publication of a 128-page booklet, “The Bible, the Jews and the Death of Jesus: A Collection of Catholic Documents,” that broke little new ground but cautioned Catholics against linking the Crucifixion with Jewish guilt.

It will be available Feb. 23 and sell for $12.

Some Jewish groups accuse Gibson of portraying Jews as a bloodthirsty mob demanding the death of Jesus. They are concerned that the film could fuel anti-Semitism and violence against Jews.

The booklet does not mention Gibson’s film by name, but reflects concern by some interfaith leaders that the movie could derail 40 years of improved relations between the faiths.

The book contains 40-year-old church teachings and more recent statements by Pope John Paul II that say flatly that Jews in the Bible, along with current Jews, are not to blame for Jesus’ death.

“Behind all of these statements lies the determination of the church to oppose anti-Semitism and to understand more fully the salvation of all humanity in Christ while affirming the unique place of Jews and Judaism,” writes Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., the chairman of the bishops’ interfaith affairs committee.

Until now, the bishops have danced delicately around the movie. Last summer, Gibson threatened suit against a joint Jewish-Catholic panel of scholars that raised concerns based on an early draft script.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops apologized and ordered the script returned.