Thousands of Clergymen to View Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of Christ'

As many as 3,000 Christian pastors will see Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of Christ" on Jan. 21, according to a statement from the Global Pastors Network

Gibson will preview the controversal film for the pastors, who represent 80 denominations from 40 countries and every state and province in North America, during a conference in Orlando, Fla.

"Academy Award-winning actor and director Mel Gibson will screen his upcoming movie, 'The Passion of The Christ,' and share his faith journey at the Global Pastors Network 'Beyond All Limits 2' Conference in Orlando, January 21, 2004," according to the network, which predicted that the film "will become an effective evangelism tool."

The network added that it believes "attendees will encourage their congregations, totalling more than one million members, to see the film and to invite others to go to the theatre with them."

The film, which is based on the Four Gospels, has been under attack from some Jewish groups and a panel of dissident Catholic and Jewish scholars, none of whom has seen it.

A spokeswoman for the network said Gibson, the star of "Braveheart," the "Lethal Weapon" films and, more recently, "We Were Soldiers," does not want to speak with the media before the late-January screening.

Gibson plans to release the film for viewing by the public on Feb. 25, which is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, which culminates with the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Editor's note:
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