The controversial Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the Christ, has been passed uncut with a 15PG certificate by the Irish film censor, Mr John Kelleher.
However, the certificate is accompanied by a caution from the censor that the film contains scenes of explicit violence which may disturb some viewers. The caution must be carried in all advertising for the film.
The film, which opens at over 50 Irish cinemas on March 12th, depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, beginning in the Garden of Olives after the Last Supper and concluding with a reputedly graphically violent depiction of his crucifixion.
While it is most unusual for the censor's office to comment on its decisions, Mr Kelleher yesterday took the step of issuing a statement to elaborate on the reasons for his decision.
It notes that the forthcoming cinema release of The Passion of the Christ has attracted widespread international attention, and there has been particular comment on its explicit violence and what some critics are reported to consider its apparent anti-Semitism.
"The film is clearly a strong personal statement of the director's own religious faith, but I do not believe that his purpose is anti-Semitic," Mr Kelleher said. "In my judgment, the film's critical stance relates to certain Jewish leaders of the period and not to the Jewish people in general.
"As a serious cinematic dramatisation of an event that goes to the core of belief of many people in Ireland, this film will have a particular resonance and is likely to be of interest to a wide audience."