Bishop of San Jose Denies Historicity of Gospels in Response to "Passion" Film

Lifesite ^ | Monday February 23, 2004

[nickcarraway]

McGrath criticized by local Catholics for supporting pro-homosexual organizations

SAN JOSE February 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Roman Catholic bishop of San Jose California has written an editorial for the local paper in which he denies the historical truth of the Gospels. In response to the accusations of anti-semitism which have been made against the film, "The Passion of the Christ," Bishop Patrick J. McGrath wrote in The Mercury News on February 18, that the charge of anti-Semitism cannot be leveled against Catholicism since Catholics do not adhere to the literal, historical truth of Scripture.

Without commenting directly on the film, which he says he has not seen, the bishop wrote, "While the primary source material of the film is attributed to the four gospels, these sacred books are not historical accounts of the historical events that they narrate. They are theological reflections upon the events that form the core of Christian faith and belief."

However Bishop McGrath's statement that the Gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ are mere "theological reflections" contradicts Church teaching.

For example, the Second Vatican Council document Dei Verbum states, "Holy Mother Church has firmly and with absolute constancy held, and continues to hold, that the four Gospels…whose historical character the Church unhesitatingly asserts, faithfully hand on what Jesus Christ, while living among men, really did and taught…"

Bishop McGrath has been criticized by local Catholic groups for his support of pro-homosexual organizations and his exclusion of the Christian group Courage, a support group for homosexuals who try to live according to Christian morality.

Bishop McGrath's editorial: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryne ws/entertainment/special_packages/passio n_of_christ/7985930.htm

[uncbob]

Why the church puts up with these heretics is beyond me

I guess for the same reason Catholic politicians in favor of abortion go unscathed and so called Catholic colleges are the way they are

Church might as well fold its tent since it is nothing but a pack of wimps

[demnomo]

EWTN? What does that stand for? Is it available on cable?

[mercy]

Bet this guy is a jesuit. The homosexual pedephiles of the RC church.

[hedgetrimmer]

Because the San Jose Diocese is infiltrated by communists who are pushing social justice and many other radical agendas.

[DoughtyOne]

LOL, nice try.

[MiniCooperChick]

Having actually read the linked article, there is only one line which speaks to the issue of the historical accuracy of the Gospels.

Not to stick up for this guy, since I don't know his record at all, I do think his comment may have been an acknowledgement that the Gospels were not written contemporaneously with the life of Jesus Christ, but some time after. Perhaps his wording was inartful.

That said, I asked my priest if he had seen the Passion at the special clergy screening held last night. He said he did, and he really didn't like it that much. He criticized it for not being true to the Gospels, while on the other hand criticizing it for depicting Christ falling five times "when he only fell three times". Well, duh! Technically, he did not fall at all if we look only to the Gospels, but you'd think a Catholic priest would recognize the inclusion of the Stations of the Cross!

I think the guy leans liberal, like many priests of his generation. I think the best priests are really old, really young or foreign! Those who went to the seminaries in the 70s and 80s were done a huge disservice, as were those of us who grew up Catholic in the 70s and 80s.

[MiniCooperChick]

He's not Old Catholic. "His" church practices the Pre-Vatican II Tridentine rite, which is perfectly acceptable to the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, I occasionally attend a Tridentine rite Mass myself.

[narses]

Wrong. Mel is a devout Roman Catholic. He is NOT part of the heretical "Old Catholic" group.

[MiniCooperChick]

I'm surprised, mercy, I thought you'd say that ALL the priests are homosexual pedephiles (sic), not just the Jesuits!

[Just mythoughts]

I am not a Catholic and this is not the first time I have been told by practicing Catholics that the Bible is not literal.

This comes from the mouth of a Bishop. So what is going on how could this man be a member of a church and claim this and still continue to be a member of a church?

What exactly is he talking about?

[Qwinn]

I'm not Catholic, I'm agnostic, but I understand Catholic teaching. If some Catholic here wants to correct me, they're free to do so, and if they can back it up I'll certainly concede the point, but I do believe I am accurate in saying that, for example, the Catholic Church does -not- maintain that the Universe was definetly created in 144 hours.

Now, this Bishop in question - I agree with the Catholics here that have said he's an apostate. Most definetly. My intrepretation of what he said is that he's going beyond claiming that the Bible isn't literal - he's saying it's inaccurate. That's way too far, and is indeed in contradiction to the Catholic Church's position.

Qwinn

[Qwinn]

"I think the guy leans liberal, like many priests of his generation. I think the best priests are really old, really young or foreign! Those who went to the seminaries in the 70s and 80s were done a huge disservice, as were those of us who grew up Catholic in the 70s and 80s."

I've noted this myself, and have heard many others say it. You're right. There was a specific generation of Catholics that were indeed quite corrupted in their teachings. They're about middle age now. Both the truly older priests and the young ones seem to be far far wiser and have a greater grasp of doctrine than that one rather twisted generation.

Qwinn

[jscd3]

Those who went to the seminaries in the 70s and 80s were done a huge disservice,

Based on some of the talks that a deacon at our parish has given, I'm thinking that there are some semineries that are still doing great disservice.

[MiniCooperChick]

Well, I guess we can't only blame the seminaries!

Have you read "Goodbye, Good Men?"

[the invisib1e hand]

This is what 'church tradition' and papal infalibility will get ya.

this remark is of the same caliber and veracity as that of the bishop in question. to wit, neither of you seem to have a clue about that which you wax.

[commish]

I don't see that he was trying to contradict church teaching

Bishop Mcgrath said :
"While the primary source material of the film is attributed to the four gospels, these sacred books are not historical accounts of the historical events that they narrate. They are theological reflections upon the events that form the core of Christian faith and belief."

You point out that the timelines don't match, but the Gospels do agree on the HISTORICAL events.
Jesus healed the Centurian's Servant
The Disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath
Jesus healed the withered hand
The temple was cleared
The Fig tree was cursed

These are historical events, not theological reflections. I am not a Catholic, but if the church proclaims the gospels to be Historical accounts and the Bishop says they are not. He is going against the church in my opinion.

[jscd3]

I'm agnostic, but I understand Catholic teaching

You may be agnostic, but in the various posts that I have seen you make over time you seem to have a better handle on Catholic teachings than a lot of Catholics I know...

[Esther Ruth]

Faith --- Yes Faith --- How do I GET faith??

Faith comes by hearing!! (Hearing you say) - Yes - Hearing.

Faith Comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God!

How do we HEAR the Word of God to receive this faith?

By Reading His Word!

Read the Bible to hear His Word to Receive Faith!

Go ahead - I dare you, read it, then you will have no doubt in your mind as to whether it is the truth of God or not. It is the literal, God Breathed Word of God with power to save you and give you wisdom and understanding, and to open your eyes, it will all make sense after you read it. Put down the theology books and the cozy Christian coffee table books and read His Word that was written to you.

[jscd3]

Have you read "Goodbye, Good Men?"

My heavily noted and underlined first edition copy is in the living room at the moment...

Right next to The Great Fascade...

[Cicero]

I looked at his whole statement, and there are no further details on what he means by this.

In the context of this movie, the statement strikes me as foolish and stupid, but not necessarily heretical. It leaves room to weasel out of what he seems to say.

For instance, in the Bible it may say "The sun rose." In fact every day we also say "The sun rose." That is not a scientific description, however. The sun doesn't rise; rather the earth turns and the sun appears to rise. Everybody understands this, and it's not a problem.

Similarly, there are other parts of the Bible that are clearly metaphors or stories, such as the parables.

But the basic things that happen in the Gospels are history. That is the Catholic belief. Jesus said what he said; the Jews said what they said; the disciples did and said what they did and said, and so forth.

Unfortunately, if the bishop's comment is to have any applicability to Mel's film, then he would seem to be saying that things that the Bible said happened actually didn't happen. That is plain heretical. But he can probably weasel out of it by explaining that that isn't what he really meant. He should, at the very least, be forced to weasel out of it, since that would clarify the Church's position on this very basic matter.