26th April, 2004

Franciscan friars are petitioning Mel Gibson to make a film about the order’s founder, St Francis of Assisi.

In an open letter published on the internet, the friars have thanked the director for his film, The Passion of the Christ, calling it an ‘extraordinary work of sacred art’.

They also ask him to make a film about St Francis’ life - a man they say “many acclaim to be the Church’s greatest saint”.

“While this story has been portrayed on the screen in the past; it has been done poorly,” they write in the letter.

“This powerful figure who shaped and changed the course of history has too often been reduced to a pious, peace-loving character cast in plaster. His spiritual zeal, ardent devotion, mystical insight, and heroic charity have been terribly distorted. These are the realities our society needs to learn and apply, not only for its spiritual edification, but perhaps for it's very survival.”

The friars have even suggested a title for the movie: Man of Passion.

St Francis, who lived between 1182 and 1226, is known as the patron saint of animals.

Gibson, meanwhile, has reportedly indicated that his next film may focus on the story of the Maccabees, Jewish fighters who led a successful rebellion against their Greek rulers in 165 BC and whose exploits are celebrated in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

At the time of writing, as many as 10,455 people had signed the petition.

To access the petition, visit www.franciscanfriars.com.

                                                                                                                   - DAVID ADAMS