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Interview With President of Catholic League on "Passion"

Aired February 25, 2004 - 10:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Director Mel Gibson's faith has come under scrutiny. He is a member of Traditionalist Catholics. That is a stricter sect. With some insight on the movement and the movie, William Donahue, president of the Catholic League. Good morning, thanks for being with us.
WILLIAM DONAHUE, PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC LEAGUE: Thank you for having me.

KAGAN: First, have you seen the movie?

DONAHUE: I've seen it twice and going to see it here in a few hours and then come back to talk about it on CNN's "CROSSFIRE."

KAGAN: All right. Well before the "CROSSFIRE" guys get to you let me ask you, what did you think and why the need to see it three times?

DONAHUE: One reason I'm going to see it today I'm going to join with Jewish people in New York and the New York Board of Rabbis along with some priests. I understand some Protestant leaders are going to come together.

And we're going to agree to disagree, say whatever we want and still shake hands because no movie is going to break the bond of friendship between Christians and Jews.

On the other hand we're not going to be intimidated in speaking out. This is the most powerful movie I have ever seen in my life. I agree with the people that you just had on here. It's brutal. Yes, it is. Scourges and crucifixions tend to be that way.

KAGAN: I've been fascinated that so many different people can go see this movie and walk away with totally different interpretations. I must say I have not had a chance to see it. So if you could give me insight how it took place.

DONAHUE: Look, I understand why people in the Jewish community might be hypersensitive about anti-Semitism. I'm certainly concerned about anti-Catholicism about which there's been much more in this country certainly than there has been than anti-Semitism.

So to some extent we filter things through the prism of our experience.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Do you think it's fair to say hypersensitive about...

DONAHUE: Yes, I do. Because you know there have never been pogroms in the United States, thank God. So for Jewish leaders to speak out, as they have, and they're going to show up in concentration camp outfits today and say there are going to be pogroms in the United States is simply irresponsible, it's demagogic and it really smacks of anti-Catholicism to think that Christians are just people out there ready to get the Jews in the street.

KAGAN: And again I'm kind of playing at a disadvantage here because I haven't seen the movie. But are Jews not portrayed in negative stereotype, are they not seen as aggressive and violent in this movie?

DONAHUE: Yes, in the New Testament there are Jewish authorities who are cruel and violent. There's no question about it. And Mel Gibson is faithful to the gospels.

But not all Jews are portrayed that way. And certainly anybody that would say that all Jews today or any Jews today are responsible for what happened 2000 year ago because of some Jews is crazy.

The Romans are the ones who are portrayed in the most vicious fashion. And I suppose that one could make the argument that the Italian community should be up in arms about this movie, but then again they're not.

KAGAN: And let me ask you this. When Mel Gibson is described as Traditionalist Catholic, what's the difference between that and other types of Catholics?

DONAHUE: Well basically he feels more at hope with the Latin mass as opposed to the Sister Polly Ester with the earrings singing from her guitar at mass. He likes a spiritual environment, not one where you have a priest giving him dumb downed homilies.

It doesn't make him anti-Semitic. It means he's a very -- he wants a spiritual exercise and unfortunately in many Catholic churches today what you get today is pabulum.

KAGAN: When you describe the other type of ceremony, aren't you being disrespectful to Catholics who want to worship in that way, Mr. Donahue?

DONAHUE: Oh I think that the people who like the singing guitar I think are really are more into new age than they are in Catholicism.

And I'll say this. Mel Gibson is certainly is more faithful to Catholic teaching than the average member of the Catholic Theological Society of America who reject the Catholic Church teachings on sexuality. He's a much better Catholic, much more serious than a lot of the professors who teach on the Catholic campuses.

It's unfortunate. But as a professor who has taught at Catholic colleges in the past, I know it to be true.

KAGAN: I didn't realize there was competition going on out there between better or worse Catholics.

But let me ask this. Would you take children to see this movie?

DONAHUE: I think anybody under the age of 13 it's too tough to watch. I think 13 to 17 with the caveat understand what you're going to watch.

It's tough at times. It's certainly appropriate for teenagers. After all, they can have abortions without parental consent. Why can't they see this movie?

KAGAN: All right, William Donahue. Some strong opinions. Thanks, sir. Have a -- I don't know if enjoyable time is the right way in describing this movie, but a good experience seeing this movie and good luck with the guys on "CROSSFIRE" later today.

DONAHUE: Thank you so much.

KAGAN: Appreciate it.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired February 25, 2004 - 10:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Director Mel Gibson's faith has come under scrutiny. He is a member of Traditionalist Catholics. That is a stricter sect. With some insight on the movement and the movie, William Donahue, president of the Catholic League. Good morning, thanks for being with us.
WILLIAM DONAHUE, PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC LEAGUE: Thank you for having me.

KAGAN: First, have you seen the movie?

DONAHUE: I've seen it twice and going to see it here in a few hours and then come back to talk about it on CNN's "CROSSFIRE."

KAGAN: All right. Well before the "CROSSFIRE" guys get to you let me ask you, what did you think and why the need to see it three times?

DONAHUE: One reason I'm going to see it today I'm going to join with Jewish people in New York and the New York Board of Rabbis along with some priests. I understand some Protestant leaders are going to come together.

And we're going to agree to disagree, say whatever we want and still shake hands because no movie is going to break the bond of friendship between Christians and Jews.

On the other hand we're not going to be intimidated in speaking out. This is the most powerful movie I have ever seen in my life. I agree with the people that you just had on here. It's brutal. Yes, it is. Scourges and crucifixions tend to be that way.

KAGAN: I've been fascinated that so many different people can go see this movie and walk away with totally different interpretations. I must say I have not had a chance to see it. So if you could give me insight how it took place.

DONAHUE: Look, I understand why people in the Jewish community might be hypersensitive about anti-Semitism. I'm certainly concerned about anti-Catholicism about which there's been much more in this country certainly than there has been than anti-Semitism.

So to some extent we filter things through the prism of our experience.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Do you think it's fair to say hypersensitive about...

DONAHUE: Yes, I do. Because you know there have never been pogroms in the United States, thank God. So for Jewish leaders to speak out, as they have, and they're going to show up in concentration camp outfits today and say there are going to be pogroms in the United States is simply irresponsible, it's demagogic and it really smacks of anti-Catholicism to think that Christians are just people out there ready to get the Jews in the street.

KAGAN: And again I'm kind of playing at a disadvantage here because I haven't seen the movie. But are Jews not portrayed in negative stereotype, are they not seen as aggressive and violent in this movie?

DONAHUE: Yes, in the New Testament there are Jewish authorities who are cruel and violent. There's no question about it. And Mel Gibson is faithful to the gospels.

But not all Jews are portrayed that way. And certainly anybody that would say that all Jews today or any Jews today are responsible for what happened 2000 year ago because of some Jews is crazy.

The Romans are the ones who are portrayed in the most vicious fashion. And I suppose that one could make the argument that the Italian community should be up in arms about this movie, but then again they're not.

KAGAN: And let me ask you this. When Mel Gibson is described as Traditionalist Catholic, what's the difference between that and other types of Catholics?

DONAHUE: Well basically he feels more at hope with the Latin mass as opposed to the Sister Polly Ester with the earrings singing from her guitar at mass. He likes a spiritual environment, not one where you have a priest giving him dumb downed homilies.

It doesn't make him anti-Semitic. It means he's a very -- he wants a spiritual exercise and unfortunately in many Catholic churches today what you get today is pabulum.

KAGAN: When you describe the other type of ceremony, aren't you being disrespectful to Catholics who want to worship in that way, Mr. Donahue?

DONAHUE: Oh I think that the people who like the singing guitar I think are really are more into new age than they are in Catholicism.

And I'll say this. Mel Gibson is certainly is more faithful to Catholic teaching than the average member of the Catholic Theological Society of America who reject the Catholic Church teachings on sexuality. He's a much better Catholic, much more serious than a lot of the professors who teach on the Catholic campuses.

It's unfortunate. But as a professor who has taught at Catholic colleges in the past, I know it to be true.

KAGAN: I didn't realize there was competition going on out there between better or worse Catholics.

But let me ask this. Would you take children to see this movie?

DONAHUE: I think anybody under the age of 13 it's too tough to watch. I think 13 to 17 with the caveat understand what you're going to watch.

It's tough at times. It's certainly appropriate for teenagers. After all, they can have abortions without parental consent. Why can't they see this movie?

KAGAN: All right, William Donahue. Some strong opinions. Thanks, sir. Have a -- I don't know if enjoyable time is the right way in describing this movie, but a good experience seeing this movie and good luck with the guys on "CROSSFIRE" later today.

DONAHUE: Thank you so much.

KAGAN: Appreciate it.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com