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Unfortunately, we couldn't get an answer straight from Mad Max's mouth, but searching on "Mel Gibson Catholic" turned up a few details about Gibson's faith. Learning more about his religious background may shed light on the choices he made as writer, director, producer, and main financier for his movie, The Passion of The Christ. Throughout his career, Mel Gibson has made no secret of his staunch Catholicism. Several years ago, he told the press: ''I go to an all-pre-Vatican II Latin mass. There was a lot of talk, particularly in the '60s, of
'Wow, we've got to change with the times.' But the Creator instituted something very specific, and we can't just go change it.'' According to various sources, Gibson shares many beliefs of the Traditionalist Catholic movement. This sect rejects some or all reforms started by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. Perhaps the biggest change
made by Vatican II was to revise the mass ritual and discontinue performing it in Latin. Traditionalist Catholic groups seem to revere the Latin mass and believe the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is more important than Christ's resurrection, which may explain the gory aspects of Gibson's movie. Many organizations exist within Traditional Catholicism. Some continue to be part of the official Roman Catholic Church, and the Vatican is aware of their operations. Others broke away from the Church and defy the authority of the Pope. Mel Gibson funded the construction of a church not
affiliated with the local Roman Catholic diocese, the Holy Family Chapel in Agoura, California. This church conducts a Latin mass and observes Traditionalist Catholic doctrine.
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