Integrating Mel Gibson’s Passion
into Youth Ministry Programs

Some Pastoral Concerns

Fr. Tom Dunne S.D.B. *
Office of Youth Ministry
Archdiocese of Boston
February 17, 2004

 

The release of Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of The Christ offers the Youth Ministry community a hopeful resource at the beginning of this Lenten season. From all accounts, this new film is a powerful depiction of the passion and death of our Lord. With good planning, this film could be an effective part in the faith formation of our young Catholics. However, we will have to keep a few considerations in mind when deciding whether (and how) to use this film in our Youth Ministry programs. The following points are offered as considerations to keep in mind when deciding on:

A. The appropriateness of this film for our young Catholics
B. The way it might be offered to the young in our parishes and schools.

Please remember that the film The Passion of the Christ is rated “R”. The “R” rating indicates the motion picture association has classified this film as “Restricted”: those under 17 years of age have to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. This film has received an “R” rating because of the violence depicted on the screen.  Therefore, if we are to bring young people under the age of 17 years to this film, we have to have a good pastoral reason (e.g., a catechetical reflection on the passion and death of Christ) and a parental permission form that gives explicit authorization for the adult Youth Minister to act as a guardian in bringing the child to view the film.  It would be good to keep in mind that Mel Gibson, in promoting his film, said that The Passion of the Christ was not suitable for young people of 12 years and younger.

  1. As with all films these days, it would be prudent to examine the reviews that reputable experts give to this film. Catholic youth ministers would be well advised to read the review that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gave Mel Gibson’s film. Quite evidently, an “A-III Adults” rating would raises serious flags for anyone intending to showing this film to young people.
  2. Since the pre-release publicity around this film centers so much attention on possible reactions of anti-Semitism, it would be good if Youth Ministers integrated a strong catechesis on Christian/Jewish relations as a part of their pastoral plan with regard to viewing The Passion of the Christ.  It has often been said that Mel Gibson’s film faithfully depicts the gospel story of Jesus’ passion as contained in the Gospels. There is no reason to believe that this statement is anything but accurate. However, according to Catholic teaching, an accurate presentation of scripture is only one part of the fullness of revelation in this regard. We have to add the authentic traditions of the Church to this scriptural teaching to present the fullness of God’s revelation. This week, the US Bishops published a very useful book to help us fulfill this purpose. The Youth Ministry Community would be well advised to integrate the materials covered in the following text when developing the catechetical materials that will help young people come to the full meaning of God’s revelation in sending his Son to die on a cross to atone for our sins.
  3. “The Bible, the Jews and the Death of Jesus: A Collection of Catholic Documents,” No. 5-618, paperback, 128 pp., $11.95 ISBN 1-57455-618-5 is available February 23, 2004. To order this resource or to obtain a catalog of other USCCB titles, call toll free 800-235-8722. In the Washington metropolitan area or from outside the United States, call 202-722-8716. 
  4. Past experience tells us that there are a number of our young people who will have great difficulty in viewing a film that deals so graphically with the passion and death of Jesus. In the past, we have seen young people struggle mightily with comparatively bland depictions of the Lord’s sufferings in Franco Zefferelli’s Jesus of Nazareth. At times, the issues with which our young people are dealing make viewing films of this sort very troublesome. These young people should have the option of viewing or not viewing this film. In addition, we have to be ready to help our all of our young people deal with the images, emotions, and thoughts that this film may raise in their minds and hearts. It would be prudent to plan a pastoral response for two or more of our adults to deal with a youngster or youngsters who might leave the theater in the middle of the screening. We know our young people. We will have to use that knowledge as a guide in viewing (or not) The Passion of the Christ.
  5. Opportunities such as viewing The Passion of the Christ are always more pastorally effective if the young people (and the adult Youth Ministers) are prepared to view the film and are given a chance to process what they have experienced after the film’s screening. The preparation stage could be as simple as reading the passion from one of the gospels (or reciting that part of the Gospel in parts as we do on Palm Sunday or Good Friday).  Certainly, we will want to prepare our young people to view this film as the reverent depiction of Our Savior’s tragic death rather than the gruesome blood-letting of a horror movie. In a similar way, the processing stage of this pastoral experience would aim at helping our young people understand the meaning of Jesus’ death for the people of his day and for ours.
  6. The last point seems so evident that I hesitate to mention it.  However, it is sometimes helpful to review first principles: View the film (with your adult team) before bringing the young people to view it.
*This resource was written with input from Kristin Witte of the Office for Youth and Young Adults, Archdiocese of Baltimore.