‘Passion’ raising awareness of sin

ROMAN CATHOLIC Archbishop Edward Gilbert has described the blockbuster movie The Passion of the Christ as an “incredible experience” and has given it his full endorsement. The Archbishop was the chief celebrant at Palm Sunday services at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando, yesterday. In his sermon he observed that today’s society had chosen to “waive off” acknowledgment of personal sin, choosing  instead to embrace the idea of “private sins.”

“Many people in our culture, and by this I mean in international culture, have chosen to waive off sin. But sin is against the wisdom of God and persons who commit illicit acts or perform illegal deals . . . there are always ripple effects to their actions,” he said. “Sins done in private ultimately affect others,”Archbishop Gilbert said, adding that the movie, based on Jesus Christ’s last hours, had reawakened a public awareness of personal sin. “The common reaction coming from people after seeing this movie is ‘I must confess my sins,’” he said. Archbishop Gilbert echoed Pope John Paul II’s view that the movie was an accurate depiction of the crucifixion, saying: “It is as it was.” 

The Archbishop, who had earlier led the large palm-bearing congregation in a processional around the church, called on individuals to empty themselves of worldly matters for the good of the Church and the wider community. “Think about how you live your life and of your involvement in your community,” he said, adding that God would provide a “fullness that the world cannot match.” Assisting in the Palm Sunday mass was parish priest, Father Clyde Harvey.