From the Desk of the Pastor                                                      May 7, 2006

 

The DaVinci Deception

 

            Years ago when the book The DaVinci Code was first published I would be bombarded by questions about many facets of the book. I even found myself in 2002 making speaking engagements to refute some of the more outlandish sub-plots of the book. The author, Dan Brown, wrote a work of fiction, but he flirted near the truth and used some of the most precious doctrines and institutions of our faith to do it. It has produced a righteous indignation among Catholics and mainline Protestant believers.

            When the announcement came that a movie was being made of this very popular book, it produced another furor. While the Hollywood machinery revs up to sell movie tickets, the Christian community has grown angry about the portrayal of such sensitive topics as: the Virginity of our Lord; the place of St. Mary Magdalene in the life of Christ and the practices of ‘Opus Dei’ to name a few.

            While faithful Catholics would never have a movie take the place of the 2000 Years of the Teaching Authority of the Church (Magisterium), less active Catholics could be led to some strange conclusions or even lose their faith if they do not know the answers to some of the more corrosive aspects of the plot. There are many mistakes and inaccuracies in The DaVinci Code, which no faithful Christian could or should believe.

            I have purchased copies of a new book entitled The DaVinci Deception. The book is written by the Mark Shea, Edward Sri, S.T.D., and the Editors of Catholic Exchange. It is subtitled 100 Questions about the Facts and Fiction of The DaVinci Code. I believe that this book answers many of the questions that people will have after deciding to read the book or view the movie. You can purchase the book at the exits of our Churches and in the parish office for a $5 donation.

If enough of you wish some lectures or adult education about the book or movie, just let me know and I will dig up my notes.

            Let us make this an evangelical moment. You could be the people that correct someone from teaching error to their family or children –by being aware of the right answers. You could be an evangelist of the faith and even invite them to come back to Church and find out that the place to learn the truth about Jesus Christ and his life and loves is the pulpit, the altar and the Tabernacle.

                                                                                                            Father Anthony Domenic Sorgie