The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
I have no desire to kick a man when he's down. But in all the reporting on Mel Gibson's rant against the mother of his youngest child -- indeed, in most of the reporting on Mr. Gibson since The Passion -- there one finds, more often than not, the reference to Mr. Gibson as a "devout Catholic."
The truth appears to be that Mel Gibson has, rather publicly, built his own church that is not part of his diocese, and is more accurately described as in schism with the Catholic church. In fact, it is a commentary on the ignorance of religion so dominant in our Fourth Estate that in none of the interviews with Mr. Gibson did anyone ask him the question that might cause some real strains with some of his most enthusiastic fans: "Are you in communion with Rome, and do you regard Pope Benedict XVI (Popel John Paul II at the time of The Passion) as the true successor to St. Peter."
Like it or not, many liberal Catholics who oppose this or that church teaching are still in fact Catholics...
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Jun '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
...They may be by Baptism or Confirmation but Gibson goes beyond dissent (we used to call it heresy) and is openly schismatic with Rome. He is clearly not in Communion with the Catholic Church as you point out. So, while many "liberal Catholics" can still be classified as Catholic (technically), though they largely hate the Church and her teachings, Gibson has effectively excommunicated himself and thus is closer to a Protestant than to a Catholic (he protests the Papacy).
What would one call a former Catholic person who is now... Methodist for example - who was Baptized and Confirmed Catholic but now professes openly and publicly to be separate from Rome and rejects many essential teachings of Catholicism?.... I certainly wouldn't call them a 'liberal Catholic' and they likely wouldn't either...
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Like many others, unfortunately, Mel Gibson uses religion for the wrong reason...to salve, or heal, personal demons. This is not a Catholic issue. This is a Mel needs to take a solitary journey to a remote island and pull himself together.
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Nicely noted, Bill. The press has no right to smear ordinary Catholics with the racist rants of the very obviously no-longer Catholic Mr. Gibson.
Jun '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Samwise Gamgee:
"What would one call a former Catholic person who is now... Methodist for example - who was Baptized and Confirmed Catholic but now professes openly and publicly to be separate from Rome and rejects many essential teachings of Catholicism?.... I certainly wouldn't call them a 'liberal Catholic' and they likely wouldn't either... "
I believe the correct term is "lapsed Catholic." The irony for me is that I abandoned Catholicism in my youth because it wasn't socially liberal enough. Today I refuse to rejoin the church because it's not conservative enough. There exists a whole raft of contemporary flapdoodle now infecting Catholic practice that I find deeply disturbing. We have priests now teaching environmentalism and "social justice" from the pulpit. I hold my beliefs now in my heart, which to my mind is the only place that counts. Judgement is a prerogative of the Lord.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
I agree with lapsed Catholic. That said, Catholics widely embraced Gibson when he came out with The Passion of the Christ; I'd hope that we pray for his reconciliation and redemption now.
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
The answer to the first is that the person is easy: a former Catholic who becomes a Methodist is ... a Methodist. That's what he's chosen. And he's free to do it.
In like manner, Mr. Gibson is not a lapsed Catholic. He has made a choice to be something else. You can't build your own church and be a Catholic.
Jun '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
It's important to distinguish such hogwash from the authentic magisterial teachings of the Church. (Aside: the term social justice is divisively and improperly used 99% of the time.)
As a political (and I assume religious) 'conservative', I think you can take heart in many things Catholic. Pope Benedict is probably the most 'conservative' pope in generations (which really means he's not a heretic). There are fewer vocations to religious life today, this is true, BUT the vocations we do have are to traditional, sound and loyal orders of sisters and brothers. The young priests entering the seminaries are looking more like the saints of old than the deconstructionists of the 60's. The elderly, "spirit of Vatican 2 priests" are slowly fading away and the most vibrant parishes are full of young (often large) families loyal to the traditions to the church - or as the media calls them - conservative Catholics. There is a large demand and love of the Latin Mass and authentic Liturgical practices. Much to give us encouragement.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Gibson has long been out of communion with the Church, but his beliefs are by-and-large traditionally Catholic. From what I understand, he rejects Vatican II (and therefore the Magisterium) but little else.
From a Catholic perspective, that means that the pivotal difference is that he is not strengthened and guided by the true Eucharist.
Jun '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
This reminds me of Chesterton’s observation in Orthodoxy that the paradoxical nature of the critics of Christianity piqued his curiosity. For example: Christianity is bad because it demands an unrealistic pacifism: turn the other cheek, love your enemies, and so on. But Christianity is far too bellicose because it led to the Crusades and the Conquistadors. Christianity is too pessimistic, with all its focus on sin and death and hellfire, but also too optimistic, a blind faith in Divine Providence and Heaven for those unwilling or unable to face a world of so much evil and suffering. Chesterton concluded that either the critics were not being entirely fair, or else Christianity was one supremely odd set of beliefs to err in so many opposite extremes all at once!
Jun '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
I've heard Catholics say, nobody is permanently "saved" or "unsaved." It's not a place--it's a journey. So, the fact that Mel Gibson is an unholy mess today, doesn't mean that he wasn't "reconciled" at one point, or at many points in his life. Catholics aren't directed to confession, or mass, just once in their life, and that "fixes" everything. They're directed to go to mass weekly, at least, because people are weak.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Agreed, etoiledunord. We are all called to conversion every day of our lives.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
You could argue, then, that the reverse of that is also true. I used your paragraph and changed a key word or two in each sentence.
Christianity is good, because it inspires you to turn the other cheek, love your enemies, and so on. Christianity reminds us of the consequences of sin and death and hellfire, but also celebrates faith in Divine Providence and Heaven, especially in a world of so much evil and suffering.
Christians can embrace some of that, or all of it. I think Catholics tend to focus on the more positive aspects. I find I am called to help others, keep my heart open to Christ and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide me far more often than I am warned against sin. There's no right or wrong...it's what works for the individual. But, the foundation of a Catholic's faith must be congruous with the church. Or, they are committing a sin each time they take Communion.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Well, I'm not Roman Catholic. So, my perspective on dear Mr. Gibson is as an outsider. And I'm left thinking that Mel is one broken guy desperately needing some alone time with God while at the same time needing some together time with strong believers who can help him stay accountable. It seems to me that Mel has gone off on a solitary experience literally divorced from his family and also divorced from spiritual accountability. That's what James 5:13-20 is all about. We Christians are supposed to stay in communion with each other not just for moral support but also for some good old fashioned correction when we're off.
My hope and prayer for Mr. Gibson is that he will not only be healed but that he will be firmly ensconced in communion with believers who can help him get back on track.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
I once argued with a woman who told me she had no right to criticize even her very own sister. She wouldn't accept that honoring another's free will doesn't mean keeping silent. In some communities, everyone is an island.
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
~Paules:
... The irony for me is that I abandoned Catholicism in my youth because it wasn't socially liberal enough. Today I refuse to rejoin the church because it's not conservative enough.
...
· Jul 12 at 12:16pm
~Paules .. there are plenty of faithful Catholics of a politically conservative bent, and we are watching in wonder our church escape the clutches of the 60's throwbacks who used Vatican II as an excuse to take it over.
Come home!
May '10
Re: The "Devout Catholicism" of Mel Gibson
Classic! That sounds like some of the neighborhoods I've live in. Never met my neighbors in two years.