wfn.org | NCC Condemns Hutton Gibson's Anti-Semitic Remarks

["Carol Fouke" <cfouke@ncccusa.org>]

Statement by the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar
General Secretary, National Council of Churches USA
New York, N.Y., February 20, 2004

Speaking on behalf of the National Council of Churches, I condemn in the
strongest terms the recent anti-Semitic remarks of Hutton Gibson, father of
film producer Mel Gibson, including his bizarre assertion that the Holocaust
did not occur. The Holocaust is a tragic historical fact. 

The elder Gibson's comments are offensive in the extreme, not only to Jews,
but also to all persons of good will. I understand that Hutton Gibson has
made similar remarks in the past. However, the controversy surrounding Mel
Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" now has attracted substantial media
attention to his father's vitriolic tirade and it must not stand
unchallenged. 

The leadership of the Council's 36 member denominations, who are the
spiritual leaders of some 50 million U.S. Christians, deplore hate speech of
any kind. Along with them I work toward a nation in which interfaith harmony
and understanding among all our people may grow and flourish.

-end-

Editor's Note: The National Council of Churches Interfaith Relations
Commission has prepared a reflection guide for Christians on issues raised by
Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion of the Christ."  The guide is available at
www.ncccusa.org

Interviewees Available: NCC General Secretary Edgar, NCC Interfaith Relations
Director the Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana
NCC Media Contact: 212-870-2252

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