AN INTERESTING COMMENT FROM OPUS DEI

Opus Dei continues its media offensive. Of all the many critics of the Da Vinci Code novel and upcoming film, Opus Dei has positioned itself as the most visible and vocal critic. I have no problem with their reaction--they feel defamed by their portrayal in the Da Vinci Code and they are using their prodigious resources and media savvy to fight back. To me, however, it is unfortunate that Opus Dei is becoming so central to the controversy over the Da Vinci Code, because I happen to think there are dozens of more interesting questions to discuss than the portrayal of Opus Dei.

In all the media coverage of Opus Dei's position, I found this quote from an Opus Dei scholar of particular interest: “If you find what you see there (i.e., in the Da Vinci Code) attractive, you will probably enjoy a Catholic Mass....I’ve seen people who have come back to their faith after reading The Da Vinci Code.”

Here's a fuller version of the story with the quote in context:


Catholic scholars gathered in Rome today to explore whether the soon-to-be-released film version of The Da Vinci Code will help spread hostile sentiment against the church or provide an opportunity to draw people closer to religion.

Scholars including members of Opus Dei – the conservative religious order depicted as a murderous, power-hungry sect in the best-selling Dan Brown novel - were participating at the forum on the potential effects of the movie, set for release on May 17-19 around the world.

“The movie will reach more people, so in that sense it will be a bit of a step forward for the book’s ideas,” said the Rev. John Wauck, a professor at Opus Dei’s University of Santa Croce in Rome.

The book also targets Opus Dei for its purported political and economic power as well is its use of “corporal mortification,” the voluntary punishing of one’s body as spiritual discipline.

Several high-ranking prelates are members of Opus Dei, an order which was particularly favoured by the late Pope John Paul II.

“As a book, The Da Vinci Code doesn’t merit serious attention,” Wauck said before the conference.

“However, as a phenomenon it demands serious attention, because a book that sells 40 million copies is not just a book, it tells us something about our society and the world we live in,” Wauck said.

The novel’s success is a sign that there is “tremendous religious ignorance” but that readers also have a thirst for history, art, symbolism and a more spiritual life, Wauck said, indicating that the movie might draw some people closer to Catholicism.

“If you find what you see there attractive you will probably enjoy a Catholic Mass,” he said. “I’ve seen people who have come back to their faith after reading The Da Vinci Code.”

Opus Dei has refrained from calling for a boycott of the movie, but is among those asking Sony to issue a disclaimer with the film that would clarify that it is a work of fantasy.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has declined to reveal whether the film would bear a disclaimer but has said the work is not a religious one and is not meant to criticise any group.