The
much advertised "The Da Vinci Code" movie is just a product of Dan Brown's
(author) imagination with the purpose of distorting the truth written in the Holy
Bible.
This
was the reaction of the city-based Diocese of Tagbilaran and the Council of the
Laity which issued separate press statements in reaction to the movie shown at
the city's modern Screenville and Cineleisure theaters, simultaneous worldwide
starting last Wednesday.
In
his pastoral letter read the day before the showing of the movie, Bishop Leopoldo
Tumulak, apostolic administrator of the diocese said that the Church is saddened
on how three major lies are peddled in the movie: Jesus is just an ordinary mortal;
Jesus married Mary Magdalene; and the Church invented that Jesus is the Son of
God.  BISHOP
TUMULAK | | Because
of these lies, the movie based on Brown's writings have "blasphemed Jesus
and the Church," the bishop stressed.
The
truth is that Jesus is both God and man, and this truth is not an imagination
nor fiction but "declared by God himself" (Mt 16:17), the pastoral letter
stated as read in all masses last Wednesday. (Full text published elsewhere in
this issue).
Tumulak
said that it remains a strong belief that the Church is anchored on the guidance
of the Holy Spirit, thus what is being spread is the truth.
The church
official called on the people to do something in order to stop propagating these
lies. He issued the challenge saying "each one should ask himself, if, "watching
the movie will help stop spreading these lies." |
The
pastoral letter reminded the faithful that it is a "sin to do something even
if you know that can destroy other people's belief in the Church." It even
asked those involved in propagating the book/movie, what they can do to end this
move of misinforming the faithful.
The
bishop asked the Boholanos to further study the Bible in search for truth.
In
response to the pastoral letter, the Council of the Laity issued a separate statement
last Friday saying the "Catholics feel insulted by the novel and the movie
since it twisted historical facts placing the Church in bad light."
"As
fellow pilgrims in the journey towards our eternal destiny, we grieve over the
blasphemies towards our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
The
council protested activities that perpetrate such distortion of Church history
which would mislead the young and innocent.
The
statement signed by Beatriz Balatero and Jose Ong, president and vice president
of the council, respectively, urged the faithful, parish workers, volunteers and
renewal groups to spearhead fasting and prayer as reparation for all the betrayal
committed against the Lord.
The
council further promotes bible studies, catecheses, seminars and workshops to
make Jesus Christ and His saints better known, revered and loved.
The
council urged to promote more Eucharistic vigils to offer adoration and thanksgiving
for all the blessings God has given his people, atonement of sins and prayers
for courage to strongly face the enemies of Christ and His Church.
Meanwhile,
the movie "The Da Vince Code" generated huge patronage in both theaters
since its first showing last Wednesday.
The
awareness on the controversy generated by national media discussion has encouraged
more people to watch the movie, observers said. | 
