Bishop addresses "Da Vinci Code"

May 11, 2006

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The motto I chose for my episcopacy was "Speak the Truth in Love". That's what I intend to do today as it relates to the release of the much-heralded film "The Da Vinci Code." I hope you read my entire letter, but if you are one of those who wants to go right to the bottom of the page, here's my suggestion. If you are thinking about going to the theater to see this movie - save your money.

This Da Vinci Code has received more publicity than it deserves. Sadly, that nearly guarantees its success at the box office. That's good for the producers, but for Catholics, it's a shame.

This book and movie are works of fiction. In fact, it is hard to find a morsel of truth anywhere in the movie. Frankly, the claims made by the writers are so outrageous that I hesitate repeating them here. Regardless, here are some of the positions espoused by the creators of the Da Vinci Code:

* The Bible was put together by a pagan Roman emperor.

* Jesus was a man - He is not God.

* Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and they two had a child.

* Secret societies still dominate the Church and church leaders are aware of their existence and have fought for centuries to conceal them.

The list of preposterous claims goes on and one - with each one wandering farther from the truth.

Historians and scholars have concluded that there is a consistent picture of Jesus and the early Christian movement. It is not found as portrayed in the DaVinci Code. These educated men and women concur with what most of America is saying. The DaVinci code is an attack on Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in an effort to combat the destructive and inconsistent messages of the Da Vinci Code, has launched a new Web site that presents authentic Catholic teaching about Jesus and the origins of Christianity.

I encourage you to visit www.Jesusdecoded.com or even better yet, enjoy a book that speaks the truth in love - the Bible.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City