'So dangerous,' CBCP warns Catholics of 'Da Vinci Code'
LAGDAMEO
Hollywood flick "Da Vinci Code" opens worldwide tomorrow (Thursday), reason why the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) matches the hysteria generated by this Tom Hanks film with a "guide."
As such, Ilonggo faithfuls are advised to hear out "fundamental truths" of the Catholic faith while saying that American author Dan Brown generated confusion in his novel. Albeit a work of fiction, Da Vinci Code, the CBCP said, "is so dangerous" where the danger laid in the "blending of fiction and purported facts."
"In addition to the fictional plot that Brown develops, he claims to give accurate and well-researched information about history, art and other fields," excerpts of the CBCP guide went. "Brown sounds so convincing that many of his readers simply believe his assertions due to insufficient knowledge of the Christian faith and a solid background in history and other fields."
The CBCP took particular note of Brown's statement in the early pages of the novel where the author noted, "All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate."
The "guide" then went on to state the synthesis of the novel with "highlights" made on the how Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene and had a line of descendants that could be found in the French royal Merovingian family.
How accurate then is Brown's research? The CBCP maintains the "word to keep in mind is evidence" where a thorough and detailed table of "Dan Brown's claim" was matched with the CBCP's response. This, the Church group did in an effort to supposedly disprove the author's claim to accuracy.
Two matters were addressed about Jesus Christ as specifics of the story were mentioned. Not true, the CBCP stressed, that the first followers of Jesus and the Christians of the first centuries did not believe that He was more than a "mortal prophet" and "a great and powerful man."
Untrue as well the storyline about the Council of Nicea relative to the close vote among its bishops on the divinity of Jesus.
The CBCP also addressed the hype made on Mary Magdalene as the Holy Grail and the smear campaign of the Church as the novel depicted.
The "guide" also made a thorough reference on the Bible and Constantine, the Priory of Sion which Brown said in the book is one of the oldest surviving secret societies on earth yet the Church outrightly dismissed.
"A modern hoax," was how the CBCP called the organization that was supposedly conjured up in 1956 by Frenchman Pierre Plantard "and his tiny group of discontented right-wing."
Also addressed were famous paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci such as the Last Supper. The novel had Mary Magdalene in the spot right next to Jesus strongly objected by the Church with the assertion that it was the Apostle John.
What is to be done then in the "Brown situation?" The CBCP called on the faithfuls to rally its 'troops' with renewed Bible Apostolate and Catechesis "and a serious study of the History of the Church."
It also went on to appeal to the media to practice the profession "responsibly with uncompromising respect for the truth especially about persons and beliefs dear to various religions and faith communities."
"Let us not lose heart. The history of the Church attests to how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has withstood many trials. The Truth of Jesus Christ can never be shackled," Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo CBCP president ended.