Posted on 10/21/2008 9:05:11 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
Mel Gibson has parked another almost $10 million in his Holy Family Catholic Church up in Malibu, California.
According to federal tax filings just made available online at guidestar.org, Mel now has a church with tax free assets of $42 million.
That’s a lot of worth for a congregation of less than 100 people. Among the church’s assets: art work listed at almost $500,000. Gibson lists three major expenses for 2007 including an architect and landscaper to help him keep building in and around the church. He also paid a law firm $69,000 for its services.
Holy Family is not recognized by the Catholic Church. And just to give you an idea of what’s going on here, relatively: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New York listed its total assets at the end of 2006 as just $3.4 million. That group gives millions away every year in charity. If Gibson’s church does the same it’s not reflected in the Holy Family tax returns. The $42 million seems more like a war chest.
Gibson is the single contributor to the church every year. He started building it several years ago for his father, Hutton Gibson, an avowed Holocaust denier and racist.
In 2006, Gibson himself was arrested for a DUI and spewed anti-Semitic, racist statements at police. The incident became a worldwide scandal.
Gibson is now shooting his first movie since the scandal, a film called “Edge of Darkness.” But that project has already had trouble when Robert DeNiro dropped out during the first week. He was replaced by Ray Winstone.
As for Hutton Gibson, it’s always good to keep track of him. He has a new website that opens with thunder and lightning illuminating Jesus on the cross, followed by the rubric: “Defending the faith of our Fathers.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Of course, and God’s glory can be seen in the beautiful works of artists, sculptors and architects creating their best work for Him.
Add to this list Laura Ingraham.
Yes, God knows, and is in control. There is no obfuscation that can fool Him.
God bless you, he is happy you've come home.
Yes, but if their souls, inspired by the glory of our God, produce great works of art and architecture, should we turn away, or use them to bolster our own faith?
I’m Catholic, but brain-tumor free!
**Holy Family is not recognized by the Catholic Church**
Move on, folks.
“He started building it several years ago for his father, Hutton Gibson, an avowed Holocaust denier and racist.”
Uh, no, I don’t think so. Gibson funded a church in Pennsylvania or West Virginia for his dad - because that’s where his dad lived. Gibson, Sr. doesn’t live in Los Angeles. The author has conflated two different stories here. Gee, was that done just to be able to mention Gibson’s dad is a Holocaust denier?
You’re wrong on a couple of points:
1) Gibson is giving charity to about 100 people - all those who attend the church. Can you claim the same?
2) The church is not “over-the-top-ornate”. The cost of the church is directly related to the fact that it was built in Los Angeles (an incredibly expensive area). $500,000 for art is not as much as you might think.
I suggest that you, “a new Christian”, learn more about Christianity and charity before attacking those who have long known both however imperfectly.
Agree!
New Christian? Praise the LORD! I am so happy for you!
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It would be even better if the Sacrifice of the Mass took place inside! But, hey, no one says that a small storefront church, when that is all that the congregation can afford, does not give glory to God! In some places, there is no church building at all, and, among Catholics in such a position, Mass is celebrated on a rock, or under a tree. God, doubtless, looks upon these souls as he would the widow in the parable of the widow’s mite. Yet, would you say that a church built along the lines of this picture gives the same witness to God’s glory when it is built by a much wealthier congregation? I wouldn’t! We give to God from our best stores, and build for Him accordingly. The Jews spared no expense building the Temple, neither should we when it is within our means to give Him the best.
And you have hit on something that many Christians miss. All the beautiful buildings that are churches the world over didn't save anyone, but a rather horrid and ugly execution did.
I love church architecture, but the first were in homes and tombs. And all the cathedrals, parish churches, and icons will be burned up in the Last Day. So while they do have a purpose, in the end it is Jesus and His death which saves us.
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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
I bet you know something... ; )
Yes, but let us not forget that Christ had expensive oil “wasted” on him.
Beauty can inspire us - I think Heaven, and God’s face, will be almost too much to bear.
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