Pontifical University announces conference on “The Passion of the Christ” at the Vatican

Rome, Italy, Mar 4, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Bishop Piero Coda, consulter of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and professor at the Lateran University, announced that the Pontifical University, with the support of the Holy See, will organize a “round table discussion with other religions” on the movie “The Passion of the Christ” by Mel Gibson.

Bishop Coda, who spoke during a celebration in honor 100^th anniversary of the birth of German theologian Karl Rahner, said the roundtable discussion will be “a cultural moment.”  The date and place for the event have not been finalized built it will take place after the premier of the film in Italy this April.

“There is a desire to understand the opportunities the movie offers, and clarify, if necessary, possible misunderstandings,” said Bishop Coda, referring to the controversy sparked by some Jewish organizations.

“The movie needs to be examined and we need to understand the objective and subjective reasons for the production, that is, the needs it is attempting to address in society,” he added.

 The rector of the Lateran University, Fr. Rino Fisichella, who lead the press conference, said there is “positive anticipation” for the film which has become a historic box-office success in the United States.

“There is a profound need for spirituality and the portrayal of a subject like the Passion of Jesus can respond to it,” said Fr. Fisichella.