Reaction to the release of the Da Vinci Code film
Several weeks from the world première of the film Da Vinci Code, a counter offensive is being organized in various Catholic circles.
Opus Dei, particularly badly treated in the book registered record numbers of visits to their website for 2005, a new version of which will be available from March 22, 2006.
“The Da Vinci Code presents, at last, an opportunity for us to make our prelature known,” acknowledged its Italian spokesman Giuseppe Corigliano who feels that “from this point of view, something positive has resulted.” Last January however, this same person confirmed that he could not exclude the possibility of legal action against the film. “We do not intend to be controversial, there will be no boycott,” said Marc Carroggio, for his part, head of relations of Opus Dei with the international media.
The next release of the film on May 19, will be the occasion of initiatives all over the world. At the beginning of March 2006, the American Bishops’ Conference announced the launch of major communications campaign entitled “Jesus de-coded”. (see DICI 132).
In France, where the release of the Ron Howard film is scheduled for May 17, the day of its première at the Cannes International Film Festival, Catholic groups have planned several measures aimed at making the Church better known, including the distribution of leaflets outside cinemas and the creation of special internet sites.
A conference organized by Nouvelles de Chrétienté will take place in Paris on Wednesday May 10, at 8:00 pm, entitled : “Le demontage du Da Vinci Code” (Palais de la Mutualité – 24, rue Saint-Victor, 75005 Paris – Metro stop Maubert-Mutualité)
