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Catholic Bishops Launch Response Website to Attack The Da Vinci Code

Catholic bishops in the US have recently launched an internet attack on the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code ahead of the worldwide cinema release of Ron Howard’s film adaptation in May. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy based in Washington - has created the website jesusdecoded.com in response to several claims made in Dan Brown’s 40 million-selling novel.

Challenging Speculation and Inaccuracies

Arguing against the claims made in The Da Vinci Code, bishops emphasize that the New Testament "does not offer any support for speculation about Jesus being married or having a child." The bishops believe that the website will serve to "rebut speculation and inaccuracies about Christ and the origins of Christianity." Brown’s novel, which purports to be based on historical fact, revolves around the controversial idea that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, their descendants married into a line of French kings, and this lineage continues to exist.

Pastoral Concerns and Disputes

Monsignor Francis Maniscalco of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York expressed concerns regarding the novel's influence on readers. While acknowledging that the novel cannot seriously damage a church of one billion believers in the long run, he emphasizes the church's pastoral concern for each and every person. One bishop referred to The Da Vinci Code as a "mess," filled with laughable errors and serious misstatements. The bishops aim to challenge the evidence used in the book and not let up.

One of the hotly disputed claims made by Brown is that Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper, depicts Mary Magdalene at Jesus's side, rather than the apostle John. Art historians strongly argue against this theory and reject the notion that Da Vinci was linked to the fictional Priory of Sion. One art historian states, "The book is wrong on every single point it makes about Leonardo, from his name, religious and philosophical beliefs to every statement about every artwork mentioned."

An Unofficial Departure from Vatican Policy

The website created by the USCCB marks a departure from official Catholic policy on The Da Vinci Code. Vatican officials have refrained from making any direct comment on the work thus far. However, with the impending release of the film adaptation starring Tom Hanks and French actress Audrey Tautou, insiders predict a stronger response from the Vatican. While the dominant school of thought at the Vatican favors ignoring books or films that present the church unfairly, it is unlikely that Pope Benedict or most top officials have even read the book. Nevertheless, the widespread presence of The Da Vinci Code among tourists and pilgrims visiting St Peter's Square in Rome cannot be ignored.

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Articles and reviews play a significant role in influencing people’s decisions when booking hotels. In today's digital age, prospective travelers heavily rely on online resources and user-generated content to guide their choices. Online travel platforms, blogs, and social media have become go-to sources for individuals seeking information and recommendations before finalizing their accommodation plans.

Building Trust through Transparency

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