Posted on 05/03/2006 9:03:52 PM PDT by Coleus
The former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, is calling on Christians not to contribute to the box office success of “The Da Vinci Code,” as the movie presents a “distorted, falsified and blasphemous image of Jesus Christ.”
“Christians”, the cardinal said during an interview with a Chilean television program, “should not see this film” and “should not contribute to the colossal profits that the person who invented this thing is going to receive.”
Referring to the book that has inspired the movie, set to debut in May, Cardinal Medina said it was “simply blasphemous” in claiming there was a romantic relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
Cardinal about Da Vinci Code: “Simply Blasphemous”
If anyone should know what constitutes blasphemy, it is the former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez. With doctorates in both theology and canon law, the noted cardinal is also well known as the prelate who announced the election of Benedict XVI from the balcony in Saint Peter’s Square. During an interview with a Chilean television program on April 12 in Santiago, the cardinal was quick to denounce the movie which presents a “distorted, falsified and blasphemous image of Jesus Christ. ”Moreover, Cardinal Medina said the faithful “should not see this film.” Referring to the book, he characterized as “simply blasphemous” the assertion of a romantic relationship between Jesus and Saint Mary Magdalene. (http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=6470)
The cardinal is not the only prelate to speak out against the film. In his Palm Sunday sermon, Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata, Argentina, exhorted Catholics to respond with “noble firmness” to a “dominant and shameless” wave of hatred against Jesus Christ, the Blessed Mother and the Church. Among the examples cited was the “infamous fables of The Da Vinci Code,” (http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=6469)
Good lord... It's just a flippin' movie. A fictional one at that.
Lots of people are upset at the Harry Potter series, too, as if they fear their faith isn't strong enough to sustain them through reading a children's fantasy. I'd like to see this movie; I enjoyed the book - whether it's true or not, it's an interesting mystery.
I thought the book was simple and shallow. I have no intention of seeing the movie, mainly because I'm a stick-in-the-mud and don't go to movies. Still, I think it is paternalistic of the good Cardinal to tell the faithful what they should or should not see. Reminds me of the 1950s.
Amen. All of his yakking about the movie is probably just going to add to the success of the thing.
It was a lame book to begin with. Something I might pick up to pass some time in an airport waiting room, but I have no idea why people think it is controversail.
The premise has been around for years. I remmember Ricardo Montabam was involved it something that had to wweal with it way back in the 70s.
Hey, He's a Father this is his job.
Imagine someone in Hollywood made a movie in which your late Grandmother was portrayed as a prostitute, and your Grandfather as her pimp. How would you feel about that (assuming it's not true, of course)? Well, a lot of folks hold God (as they conceive Him) in even higher regard than their grandparents, and they don't find movies that tend to mock or distort their religious beliefs (or history or facts, for that matter) worthy of public exhibition, no matter how interestingly or artistically those films are made.
Yeah.
Triumph of the Will, for atheists.
I would suggest that the Cardinal is taking this movie far too seriously.
For one thing, his attitude suggests there's fire behind the smoke.
For another thing, there would be no more effective way to neutralize the "message" of the book/movie (if there actually is one, other than entertainment) than by enthustiacally embracing its entertainment value, and welcoming the public's interest in the subject.
After all, the Cardinal has nothing to fear from a frank examination of the non-fictional facts. Right?
Right???
Hahahaha!
Oh, very droll.
Same thing happened with Jesus Christ Superstar. They need to remember that anything that generates interest in Christianity, with all the good things that have been written, will ultimately help encourage people towards the teachings of Christianity, especially when compared to the teachings of Islam.
It's bs, nothing more than some snake trying to undermine the Christian faith. And it's not new, Gnosticism and its twisted beliefs has been around for millenia. I'd burn that piece of s--- before I'd read it. But I see the author has hooked a lot of fish.
Yep, and there's nothing worse than paternal love and guidance.
I guess I'm one of the fish, then; I enjoyed the book.
There is fire behind the smoke and stench of this book, fire straight from Hell. The fact a movie has followed up the book means the good Cardinal understands that the faith of modern Christians is weak, and it's too easy for Christ's enemies to lure and catch them with a hook baited with lies. May God bless this wonderful Cardinal for trying to protect his flock.
A lot of dupes and anti-Christians have enjoyed the book, not much anyone can do about that. The good Cardinal has warned the faithful, may God abundantly bless him and all his work.
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