Michael Brooks
Hutton Gibson, a World War II veteran, writer on Catholicism, and father of actor and director Mel Gibson, wrote the book Is the Pope Catholic? Paul VI's Legacy: Catholicism?. Gibson is an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and its practices, especially the post-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church and traditionalist Catholics who reject Sedevacantism. The book questions the Catholic Church's doctrine, leadership, and practices, including Pope John Paul II, whom Gibson accused of being a heretical antipope and a Freemason. Gibson's work also reminds Catholics of the path to redemption through the Traditional Mass and presents it with facts and previous council authority.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Book Title | Is the Pope Catholic? Paul VI's Legacy: Catholicism? |
| Author | Hutton Gibson |
| Profession | Writer on religion, World War II veteran, 1968 Jeopardy! grand champion |
| Family | Father of 11 children, including actor and director Mel Gibson |
| Criticism | Post-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church, Traditionalist Catholics who reject Sedevacantism, Pope John Paul II, changes made by the Second Vatican Council |
| Allegations | Pope John XXIII was a heretical antipope, the Pope was a Freemason, Pope kissed the Quran |
| Organisations Founded | Alliance for Catholic Truth, The World Faith Foundation of California |
| Organisations Led | Secretary of the Latin Mass Society of Australia (until 1976) |
| Publications | Catholics, Where Has Our Church Gone? (video), The War is Now! (newsletter), The Enemy is Here!, The Enemy is Still Here! |
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What You'll Learn
Allegations against Pope John XXIII
There have been two Pope Johns XXIII. The first was Baldassarre Cossa, an antipope during the Western Schism of the early 15th century. Cossa was tried and found guilty of heinous crimes, including murder and rape, although historians debate the veracity of these accusations.
The second Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, served as pope from 1958 until his death in 1963. He is known for his progressive views and his efforts to modernise the Catholic Church. He is affectionately known as "the Good Pope".
One of the most notable acts of Pope John XXIII was to eliminate the description of Jews as "perfidious" in the Good Friday liturgy. He also modified the language used in the baptism of adults, removing warnings against returning to one's earlier religious faith. These changes were made to "emphasize everything that unites and to remove anything that unduly divides believers in God".
In 2003, a secret Vatican document from 1962 was published in the US and Britain. The document, which bore Pope John XXIII's signature, revealed that the Catholic Church had systematically covered up cases of sexual abuse by its clergy. It instructed bishops to deal with allegations of sexual abuse by priests with "strictest secrecy", under pain of excommunication. Church lawyers insist that the document referred only to church law and did not order criminal cover-ups. However, lawyers representing victims of abuse argue that the document was used as a blueprint for an official cover-up.
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Pope John Paul II's alleged Quran kiss
On May 14, 1999, Pope John Paul II kissed the Quran, the Islamic holy book presented to him by a Muslim delegation. This incident sparked outrage and controversy within the Catholic Church and beyond. While some viewed it as a gesture of respect and an attempt to foster dialogue between Christians and Muslims, others saw it as a betrayal of Christian faith and a compromise of Catholic values.
The event in question took place at the Vatican, where John Paul II received a Muslim delegation of Shiites and Sunnis, along with the Chairman of the Iranian Ministry of Religion. The Muslim visitors presented the Pope with a copy of the Quran as a diplomatic gift. The Pope then kissed the Quran as a sign of respect, in accordance with the Second Vatican Council's guidelines on respecting those with different social, political, and religious views.
A photograph of this moment was captured and distributed by the Associated Press, sparking widespread debates and discussions. Many Catholics, including traditionalists and orthodox believers, were scandalized by the image, which seemed to contradict the fundamental theological differences between Christianity and Islam. The Quran, for Muslims, is considered to be God's revelation to mankind, while in Christian theology, Jesus Christ is seen as the all-important Saviour and Son of God.
Defenders of John Paul II's actions argued that he intended to show respect for the faith of others without compromising his own beliefs. They pointed out that the Pope was known for his sensitivity to the feelings of the Catholic community and his focus on alleviating human suffering, regardless of religious differences. Additionally, they highlighted the context of the gesture, suggesting that kissing a gift is a traditional Arabic custom.
Critics, on the other hand, viewed the kiss as a symbolic act of betrayal and compromise. They questioned the appropriateness of the Pope showing respect for another religion's holy book, especially when that book contradicts fundamental Christian doctrines. Some even went as far as to compare the kiss to that of Judas, implying a denial or abandonment of the Christian faith.
The controversy surrounding Pope John Paul II's kiss of the Quran highlights the challenges and complexities that arise in interfaith relations, particularly between religions with differing theological beliefs. While some see these interactions as opportunities for dialogue and mutual understanding, others view them with suspicion and concern, underscoring the ongoing tensions that exist between religious groups.
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Pope Paul VI's 'heinous acts'
In his book "Is the Pope Catholic? Paul VI's Legacy", Hutton Gibson, a World War II veteran, outspoken critic of the Catholic Church, and father of actor and director Mel Gibson, accuses Pope Paul VI of committing "the most heinous acts". Gibson's specific allegations against Pope Paul VI are not clear, but they may be related to the Pope's alleged homosexual relationship with an actor, Paolo Carlini, which was rumoured and later repeated by Roger Peyrefitte in a magazine interview.
Pope Paul VI was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. During his pontificate, he continued the Second Vatican Council, which he closed in 1965, implementing numerous reforms. One of the goals of the council was to improve ecumenical relations with Eastern Orthodox and Protestant churches, which resulted in many historic meetings and agreements.
Pope Paul VI also supported attempts to ensure that the council language was friendly and open to the sensitivities of Protestant and Orthodox churches, and he invited them to all sessions. He also played a role in the passage of Nostra aetate, which regulates the Church's relations with Judaism and members of other religions.
In addition, Pope Paul VI was involved in providing assistance to persecuted fugitives hidden in Catholic institutions, such as convents, parishes, seminaries, and schools. He established the Pontificia Commissione di Assistenza (Pontifical Commission for Assistance), which provided shelter, food, and other necessities to Romans and refugees.
However, Pope Paul VI also faced challenges during his pontificate, including accusations from Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, who defied the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the authority of the pope. The pope eventually lost patience with the archbishop and accused him of acting like an "antipope".
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The Siri thesis
Hutton Gibson, a World War II veteran, writer on Catholicism, and father of actor and director Mel Gibson, has been a vocal critic of the Catholic Church and its leadership since the Second Vatican Council. In his book "Is the Pope Catholic?: Paul VI's Legacy: Catholicism?", Gibson questions the religious legitimacy of the Pope and the Catholic Church. He argues that it is harder to be truly Catholic than it is to be part of the Catholic Church.
Gibson's criticism of the Catholic Church focuses on its doctrine, leadership, and practices. He accuses Pope John XXIII of being a heretical antipope and claims that subsequent Popes, including Pope John Paul II, were also illegitimate. Gibson further alleges that Pope John Paul II kissed the Quran, an act confirmed by a Chaldean Catholic Patriarch.
In addition to his written works, Gibson founded an organisation called the Alliance for Catholic Truth and established a Tridentine sedevacantist congregation called St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Chapel in Pennsylvania. Gibson's views and writings have sparked controversy, including around his anti-Semitic statements and his opposition to Freemasonry, which he accuses the Catholic Church of permitting.
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The author's anti-Semitic views
The author of "Is the Pope Catholic?", Hutton Gibson, held anti-Semitic views that were influenced by his traditionalist brand of Roman Catholicism. Gibson was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church's doctrine, leadership, and practices since the Second Vatican Council. He rejected the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which removed prayers for the conversion of Jews and ended the practice of celebrating Mass in Latin. Gibson's anti-Semitism was also influenced by his conspiracy theorist beliefs, as he claimed that the Second Vatican Council was a "Masonic plot backed by the Jews."
Gibson's anti-Semitic views were also reflected in his writings, which included allegations that Pope Benedict XVI was "homosexual" and that "half the people in the Vatican are queer." He also claimed that the Pope was a Freemason and referred to him as a Koran Kisser. Gibson's newsletter, "The War Is Now!", and his self-published books, including "Is the Pope Catholic?" and "The Enemy is Here!", were platforms for disseminating his ultra-Orthodox and anti-Semitic views.
Gibson's anti-Semitism extended beyond his writings and was evident in his public statements and interviews. He denied the legitimacy of Pope John Paul II and made anti-Semitic comments about the Holocaust, casting doubt on the number of Jews killed and referring to it as “mostly a lot of horseshit." He also used derogatory terms for Jewish people, such as "Hebes," "oven-dodgers," and "Jewboys."
The anti-Semitic views of Hutton Gibson gained wider prominence due to his son, Mel Gibson, who directed the controversial film "The Passion of the Christ." Mel Gibson has also made anti-Semitic statements and been accused of espousing Catholic anti-Semitism. The film "The Passion of the Christ" was criticized by some as being anti-Semitic in its portrayal of Jews as responsible for Christ's death.
Hutton Gibson's anti-Semitism, influenced by his traditionalist Catholicism and conspiracy theories, was expressed through his writings, public statements, and interviews. His views gained a wider platform due to his son's Hollywood stardom and have contributed to a larger discourse on the intersection of Catholicism and anti-Semitism.
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Frequently asked questions
Hutton Gibson is a writer on religion, World War II veteran, the 1968 Jeopardy! grand champion, and the father of actor and director Mel Gibson.
The book is critical of the Catholic Church's doctrine, leadership, and practices since the Second Vatican Council. Gibson also discusses the true path to redemption for Catholics and presents facts from previous councils and authorities.
Gibson has been critical of Pope John Paul II, whom he described as "Garrulous Karolus the Koran-Kisser" due to the Pope kissing the Quran. He has also accused subsequent popes of being heretical antipopes and claimed that the Pope was a Freemason.
Hutton Gibson has also written "The Enemy Is Still Here!: A Reorganized Synthesis of The War Is Now November 1994-March 2003" and "Time Out of Mind". He has also self-published three collections of his quarterly newsletter, "The War is Now!".
