CBCP issues guide on 'Da Vinci Code'
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is set to release a guide for the Catholic faithful on how to respond to the claims made by novelist Dan Brown in the controversial film "Da Vinci Code".
CBCP President Msgr. Angel Lagdameo, in a pastoral letter, said the guide will be distributed to various dioceses, parishes, schools and other groups.
The guide entitled "Handling questions people may ask about the Da Vinci Code" will tell "how accurate and reliable is Dan Brown's research" and will also expose his "errors."
Lagdameo said the book is a work of fiction but "it cannot be denied that fiction shapes the imagination, stirs emotions and forms mental associations."
He added, the novel gives erroneous impressions of many things, among them some fundamental truths of the Christian faith.
He cited the novel's assertion that Jesus is not a divine Person, that He is only human and He married Mary Magdalene and had children.
Lagdameo insisted Jesus Christ is truly God and truly human.
"The full truth about Jesus is not attained by mere historical reconstruction or ingenious human speculation. The truth about Jesus as the Son of God comes from a revelation of the Father, as Jesus told Peter (cf. Mt 16:17). The truth about Jesus as Lord can be confessed only in humble faith that is a gift of the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul reminds us (cf. I Cor 12:3). The truth about Jesus is revealed to mere children but hidden to the wise and the learned (cf. Matthew 11:25)," he explained.
"The witness of the believers of Christ, dating from the apostles to the saints and martyrs of our time, constitutes the most reliable "evidence" in history of the truth about Jesus. The Church does not manipulate revealed truth. It serves the truth," he added.
Lagdameo thus called on the Catholic faithful "to serenely affirm the fundamental truths of our faith."
Further, in the face of the possible confusion that may be brought by Dan Brown's novel made film Lagdameo invited the Catholic faithful to do the following:
"Let us deepen in our homes, schools, ecclesial communities and Church organizations the knowledge of Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Tradition through a systematic study of the Word of God and the teaching of the Church, a renewed Bible Apostolate and Catechesis, and a serious study of the History of the Church.
"Let us appeal to publishers and people in media to practice their profession responsibly, with uncompromising respect for the truth, especially about persons and beliefs dear to various religions and faith communities.
"Let us collaborate with historians, scholars of the arts, and scientists in shaping a culture with depth and integrity.
"Let us imbue our evangelizing mission with renewed vigor, methods and expressions so that people who are earnestly seeking the truth about Jesus may encounter Him in our word, worship, prayer and humble service."