Da Vinci Code Controversy Continues

Posted on March 22, 2005

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, a high-ranking bishop for the Catholic Church, has called the The Da Vinci Code, a thriller novel by author Dan Brown, "rotten food" and "a sack full of lies against the church".

But the BBC reports that Monsignor Jose Maria Pinheiro -- nominated to be bishop of Sao Paulo by Pope John Paul II two weeks ago -- said Cardinal Bertone's views on the best-seller were "personal" and not official church views. In the novel Jesus is married to Mary Magdalene -- which conflicts with the story provided by the Catholic Church.

The thriller also portrays the Catholic Church as having hidden this fact and others to diminish women's role in the Church. Readers obviously welcome the conspiracy as the book has sold millions of copies. It also being made into a film starring Tom Hanks as the lead character.