Sarah Mitchell
Hutton Gibson, the father of actor and director Mel Gibson, wrote a book titled Is the Pope Catholic? Paul VI's Legacy: Catholicism?. Gibson was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and its doctrine, leadership, and practices following the Second Vatican Council. He argued that the only true Catholics were those who rejected the Pope and the visible Catholic Church. He also claimed that the Second Vatican Council was a Masonic plot backed by the Jews. Gibson's views on the Pope and the Catholic Church have sparked controversy and discussion, with some considering him a conspiracy theorist and Holocaust denier. His son, Mel Gibson, has also faced scrutiny for his religious views and his rejection of the Pope and Vatican II.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Hutton Gibson |
| Book Title | Is the Pope Catholic? Paul VI's Legacy |
| Profession | Writer on Catholicism, Conspiracy Theorist, Holocaust Denier, World War II Veteran |
| Awards | 1968 Jeopardy! Grand Champion |
| Children | 11, including actor and director Mel Gibson |
| Views | Critic of the Catholic Church's doctrine, leadership, and practice since the Second Vatican Council, outspoken against theological and sexual abuses |
| Allegations | Pope Benedict XVI is "homosexual", Pope John Paul II kissed the Quran and was a communist spy, Pope is a Freemason |
| Publications | The War is Now! (newsletter), The Enemy is Here!, The Enemy is Still Here! |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mel Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, is an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church
Hutton Gibson, the father of actor and director Mel Gibson, was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church, particularly the post-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church. He was a traditionalist Roman Catholic and an ultra-orthodox writer on sedevacantism, a term used to describe those who do not acknowledge the authority of the current Pope and, thus, the authority of the Catholic Church as it stands.
Gibson was a World War II veteran and the 1968 Jeopardy! grand champion. He wrote and disseminated his views in a quarterly newsletter called "The War is Now!" and self-published three collections of these periodicals: "Is the Pope Catholic?", "The Enemy is Here!" and "The Enemy is Still Here!". He also authored a book called "Is the Pope Catholic?: Paul VI's Legacy: Catholicism?".
Gibson's views on the Catholic Church included the belief that the only true Catholics on Earth were those who rejected the Pope and the visible Catholic Church. He did not believe there had been a legitimate Pope since Pope Pius XII, claiming that everyone from Pope John XXIII onwards has been an "anti-pope" and, in some cases, a spy. He also stated that the Second Vatican Council was "a Masonic plot backed by the Jews".
Gibson's views gained wider prominence due to his son's Hollywood stardom, particularly after Mel Gibson directed the controversial film "The Passion of the Christ". Mel Gibson has also expressed views critical of the Catholic Church, stating that Pope Francis is not a legitimate Pope and that the post-conciliar church is a "false church". However, it is important to note that a person's family member's views do not automatically reflect their own.
Baptist and Catholic: Can Love Conquer Religious Differences?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hutton Gibson's book questions whether the Pope is truly Catholic
Hutton Gibson, the father of actor and director Mel Gibson, was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and its practices. He was also a writer on religion, conspiracy theorist, Holocaust denier, World War II veteran, and the 1968 Jeopardy! grand champion. Gibson studied for the priesthood in a Chicago seminary of the Society of the Divine Word but left, claiming to be disgusted with the modernist theological doctrines taught there. He went on to self-publish three collections of his quarterly newsletter, 'The War is Now!'. One of these was titled 'Is the Pope Catholic?: Paul VI's Legacy'.
In his book, Gibson questions the Catholic Church's recent "twists and turns", asking his readers if they are "truly happy" with these changes. He argues that religion is either true or false and that updating is incompatible with revealed truth. Gibson also criticises theologians, claiming that they began almost all heresies and schisms. He asks his readers if they will "blindly bet [their] only soul" on the Pope being truly Catholic.
Gibson was especially critical of Pope John Paul II, whom he described as "Garrulous Karolus the Koran-Kisser". He made this comment in reference to an incident in 1999, where John Paul II kissed the Quran as a sign of respect. Gibson also alleged that Pope Benedict XVI was "homosexual" and a "Freemason", and that "half the people in the Vatican are queer".
In addition to his criticisms of specific popes, Gibson also questioned the validity of certain papal elections. He supported the Siri thesis, which states that in 1958, after the death of Pope Pius XII, the man originally elected pope was not Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII), but another cardinal, "probably Cardinal Siri of Genoa". Gibson claimed that the white smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel to announce a new pope's election was done in error and that the new pope was forced to resign. He also questioned whether Pope Benedict was still Pope until his death in 2022, suggesting that the process of electing Pope Francis was invalid.
Catholics and Statues: Worship or Symbolism?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mel Gibson has been accused of being a sedevacantist
Gibson, a traditionalist Catholic, has been vocal about his criticism of the Catholic Church, stating that it needs to undergo "housecleaning" following a series of scandals, most prominently its mishandling of sexual abuse cases. He has also spoken out against the Second Vatican Council and endorsed the Coalition for Canceled Priests, whose bishops have removed clerics from the ministry for expressing controversial opinions.
In an interview with Joe Rogan, Gibson discussed his religious views, including his belief in the "'Siri Thesis,'" which posits that Cardinal Giuseppe Siri was actually elected Pope in the 1958 conclave instead of Roncalli. He also implied that Pope Francis is not a legitimate pope, stating that he agreed with Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò that the "post-conciliar church is a false church."
While some have accused Gibson of being a sedevacantist like his father, Hutton Gibson, others argue that he is more accurately described as a sedeprivationist, meaning he believes that the popes during and after the Second Vatican Council are duly elected but lack the power to rule, teach, and sanctify. According to this interpretation, Gibson does not believe the papal chair is empty but rather that the popes who have occupied it are formally defective.
Regardless of the specific label, it is clear that Gibson holds non-mainstream views on the papacy and the authority of the Catholic Church.
True Beauty: Catholic Program for Inner Radiance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hutton Gibson believes Pope Francis is not a true pope
Hutton Gibson, the father of actor and director Mel Gibson, was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and its leadership. He wrote a book titled "Is the Pope Catholic? Paul VI's Legacy: Catholicism", in which he questioned the legitimacy of the Pope and the Catholic Church's teachings. Gibson argued that the only true Catholics were those who rejected the Pope and the visible Catholic Church. He claimed that there had not been a legitimate Pope since Pius XII in 1958 and that everyone from Pope John XXIII onwards was an "anti-pope" or even a spy.
In his book, Gibson presents a defence of the true Mass and the traditional practices of the Catholic Church, which he believed had been corrupted by recent changes. He was particularly critical of Pope John Paul II, whom he referred to as "Garrulous Karolus the Koran-Kisser" due to an incident where the Pope kissed the Quran as a sign of respect. Gibson also criticised the election of Pope Benedict XVI, alleging that he was a homosexual and a Freemason.
Gibson's views on the Pope and the Catholic Church were influenced by his belief in conspiracy theories and his anti-Semitic attitudes. He alleged that the Second Vatican Council, which made significant changes to the Church, was "a Masonic plot backed by the Jews". He also claimed that the initial white smoke signalling the election of a new Pope in 1958 was done in error, and the correct smoke, signifying that no Pope had been chosen, was quickly covered up.
Mel Gibson appears to share some of his father's controversial views. He has stated that Pope Francis is not a legitimate Pope and has been described as a Sedevacantist, someone who does not acknowledge the authority of the current Pope. However, it is important to note that a person's views are not automatically shared by their family members.
Rimadyl 75mg: Safe Dosage Intervals for Your Pet's Health
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hutton Gibson is critical of Pope John Paul II
Hutton Gibson, the father of actor and director Mel Gibson, was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and its leadership. He wrote a book titled "Is the Pope Catholic?: Paul VI's Legacy", in which he criticised the actions of Pope Paul VI. Gibson was also critical of Pope John Paul II, whom he described as "Garrulous Karolus the Koran-Kisser". This criticism stems from an incident in 1999 where John Paul II kissed the Quran, which Gibson saw as a sign of respect for Islam.
Gibson's criticism of the Catholic Church also extended to its doctrine and practices, particularly those that had changed since the Second Vatican Council. He was a sedevacantist, believing that there had not been a legitimate pope since Pope Pius XII in 1958. In other words, he saw all subsequent popes as anti-popes. He even went as far as to argue that these "anti-popes" were spies, with John Paul II being a communist spy.
Gibson disseminated his views through a quarterly newsletter called "The War is Now!" and self-published three collections of these periodicals, including "Is the Pope Catholic?", "The Enemy is Here!" and "The Enemy is Still Here!". He also co-hosted a video with Tom Costello called "Catholics, Where Has Our Church Gone?", which was critical of the changes made by the Second Vatican Council.
In addition to his religious views, Gibson was also known for his controversial political beliefs. He was a conspiracy theorist, Holocaust denier, and made allegations about the sexual orientation of Pope Benedict XVI and members of the Vatican.
Honors at Catholic University: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Hutton Gibson was an American writer on Catholicism, a World War II veteran, the 1968 Jeopardy! grand champion, and the father of actor and director Mel Gibson.
The book 'Is the Pope Catholic' by Hutton Gibson is critical of the Catholic Church's doctrine, leadership, and practice since the Second Vatican Council. It also defends the true Mass against the acts committed by Pope Paul VI.
Hutton Gibson was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and its Pope. He believed that the only true Catholics on earth were those who rejected the Pope and the visible Catholic Church. He also alleged that Pope Benedict XVI is "homosexual" and that Pope John Paul II was a "communist spy".
Mel Gibson has been described as sounding like a sedevacantist, meaning he does not acknowledge the authority of the current Pope and, therefore, is not considered a Catholic. He has also stated that Pope Francis is not a legitimate Pope.
The Siri thesis, espoused by Hutton Gibson, states that in 1958, after the death of Pope Pius XII, the man originally elected pope was not Angelo Roncalli but another cardinal, "probably Cardinal Siri of Genoa". Gibson claimed that the white smoke that emanated from a chimney in the Sistine Chapel to announce a new pope's election was done in error.
![St. Joseph Sunday Missal Prayerbook and Hymnal for 2026 [Paperback] Catholic Book Publishing Corp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71N-HHa6foL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
