ASIA/CHINA - The Da Vinci Code: Catholics in China recommend objectivity and caution, calling for suitable pastoral care to orient public opinion

Friday, 19 May 2006

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “I send you as sheep among wolves; be prudent like serpents and simple like doves (Mt 10,16)”; “Adore Christ the Lord in your hearts and be ready to reply to anyone who asks the reason for the hope you have in your hearts. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Pt 3,5)”. These two verses of Scripture were suggested by the Bishops of Taiwan and Catholics in mainland China with regard to the attitude to take towards the film The Da Vinci Code.
As in other parts of the world in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan the release of the film met with discussion, perplexity and curiosity. The Catholic world in China was ready with an answer in view of a possible negative effect.
In mainland China the film was released a day earlier 17 May. The Catholic community responded immediately with an official statement and declaration by leading members of the ecclesial world calling for adequate pastoral to avoid misunderstanding among non Christians and to suggest correct behaviour on the part of the faithful. The most widely read Catholic magazine Faith published a dossier and an editorial on the book and the film and expressed the displeasure of the Catholic community. Prominent Catholics declared the Church’s indignation criticising the work which is “contrary to Catholic teaching and humiliating, it offends religious sentiment”. They also asked the faithful “to pray to the Holy Spirit and to consolidate their own faith, to be obedient to the teaching of the Church and not let themselves be influenced, to offer explanations to people around them with precision and respect taking biblical teaching as the source”. Faith editor Fr. Zhang Shi Jiang said “the film is contrary to ethic and religious morals and offends religious sentiments and the sacredness of our faith”.
The diocese of Hong Kong has planned two seminars to discuss the film with the faithful. The diocesan spokesman illustrated the position of the local Church which does not call for a ban or boycott, but like the other Christians in Hong Kong, advises open discussion to dispel confusion and doubts which may arise.
The statement of the office of the Bishops of Taiwan read as follows: “we pray the Holy Spirit may enlighten us to return always to the source of our faith, Sacred Scripture, to seek the truth and the answer. We encourage parishes and communities to take this event as an opportunity to reach a deeper understanding of the faith and so doing, consolidate it.” (Agenzia Fides 19/05/2006 Righe: 42 Parole: 2,688)


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