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

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Lawgvr1955]

Why do people feel the need to comment on something they haven't seen? And why did the bishop feel the need to write the article he did?

[TomServo]

And the wheat continues to be separated from the chaff...

[mercy]

BWA HAW HAW HAW!!!!!!!!!

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

[nickcarraway]

well, he actually does explain that part in the article.

[demnomo]

I was flicking around the TV channels today and came across a Jesuit priest "talking head" who appeared to be dissing The Passion, claiming it was not adhering to the Gospels. I clicked on.

I wondered if this priest was a supporter of liberal causes. Can't remember his name..

[evolved_rage]

No gift for you bishop. Have an empty envelope instead.

[Unam Sanctam]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 126:

The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, "whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when he was taken up."

The Bishop is in error.

[DoughtyOne]

The Catholic church has a rich history in telling the peasants what they should and shouldn't think about the Bible. One need only study the 'dark ages' period to realize that this is nothing new.

If the Bible isn't the word of God and the guidebook for humanity, perhaps this Bishop should explain what he's now fronting in it's place.

[pgkdan]

that the charge of anti-Semitism cannot be leveled against Catholicism since Catholics do not adhere to the literal, historical truth of Scripture.

Well this Catholic does and I accuse the bishop of apostasy

[GeronL]

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.

Then this man is NOT a christian.

[JackTom]

"...homosexuals who try to live according to Christian morality."

Strange. I always thought that being homosexual is actually in itself against Christian morality.

[freekitty]

I would think he would like to see the film before commenting.

[Paul Ross]

And the wheat continues to be separated from the chaff...

Bump. Yet another GOAT is found pretending to be a sheep....

[Qwinn]

There is a difference between holding the Bible to be accurate and to be -literal-. It is true that the Catholic Church does not cite that every last word in the Bible must be taken in an extreme literalist perspective - for example, the Catholic Church does not maintain that the Universe was created in 144 hours. It -does- maintain, however, that the Bible and particularly the accounts of Jesus's life are -accurate- in that it depicts actual events and does not contain tacit errors.

There's a difference between accuracy and literalism. One need only watch the way liberals attempt to interpret the Constitution to see the difference at play.

Qwinn

[NutmegDevil]

I believe the priests were the only folks who had any education in, particularly, remote villages. They were considered to be the wisemen. I came from a small town & the barber was the town wiseman - he had attended some college & a gift of wit/gab.

[JohnnyZ]

It is my understanding that the gospels differ in certain chronological aspects, among other things. So as literal history they would be wrong in certain respects, though not in any fundemental way.

I don't know what the bish was trying to impart with his statement; either he's just wrong or he's right but should have been more clear, since a different shade of meaning can have major theological consequences.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I see Bishop McGrath is giving Mahony a run for the "top apostate bishop of California" award.

[Esther Ruth]

I just have to add this to this discussion - so -

The Bible is the INSPIRED Word of God. 2Timothy 3:16

All Scripture in inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

The word INSPIRED in the greek means literally
God Breathed.

God breathed out these word into the minds of man to be written down just as God wanted them written. SO

The Literal Word of God.