OK to see The Da Vinci Code:Opus Dei priest

[cappie]

Opus Dei priest says it's OK to see The Da Vinci Code


The Director of Sydney's Archdiocesan Adult Education Centre has told the ABC that while the film The Da Vinci Code is riddled with historical errors, he is pleased that it has created unprecedented interest in Opus Dei.

Fr John Flader said that despite some "glaring misrepresentations of Opus Dei", the organisation is not "freaked out" by Dan Brown's book which has helped guide people to the Opus Dei website where "they're going to get positive information."

"They're wondering, what is this extraordinary institution that has monks, which of course we don't have, and is out to murder people, which of course we don't do, and nonetheless it leads people beyond that; people seeking truth to come to Opus Dei, and hopefully they'll find the truth, and it'll serve Opus Dei's purpose, as it will the church, I'm sure," he said.

Fr Flander denies that Opus Dei fosters "secrecy and weirdness" but defended the practice by some of its members of bodily mortification such as self-flagellation the use of the cilice.

"Opus Dei is ordinary lay faithful and a few priests like myself, seeking holiness in the middle of the world, wherever we have centres and wherever there are members they're very well known, it's just very ordinary people," he said.

But he told the ABC: "Within Opus Dei they are a very small part of the penitential practice, that is most of the members don’t use them, the married ones certainly do not, the single ones generally do."

"A small part of what we do involves the cilice and the disciplines, but it's exaggerated of course in Dan Brown’s book," he said.

Asked whether Fr Flander would recommend the movie version of the book, which comes out in May, he said that it will be a good thriller but viewers should ignore the historical errors in the movie.

"If one looks at it as a work of history, then it certainly is not that, it is just so riddled with errors of history and art etc, that one has to ignore that whole part. But if one takes it merely as a thriller, it's going to be good, I think."

[jezic]

i am still thinking it is a work of fiction so people shouldn't look for truth in it

and

religious orders are penitential in some ways. Why does that surprise so many people? It is not like they force people to attack themselves for no reason.(Opus Dei isn't quite an "order" per say but it functions much like one)

[Sarah_JC]

A priest I know advised against going opening weekend, because it'll only push up their ranking in the box office, and draw more people to see it.

[ironmonk]

The movie and book are blasphemous and massive stumbling blocks for the ignorant and weak minded.

God Bless,
ironmonk

[Sarah_JC]

Clearly.

But many people won't take my defence seriously, because I haven't read the book. The movie certainly would be more stomachable, if only because it's shorter.

But I hate the idea of supporting this financially.

[Brother Adam]

I don't think you need to see it to be credible

Watch the USCCB tv special and it can give you the information you need to know.

[dUSt]

I generally find myself agreeing with this priest.

The book and movie, in the long run, have probably helped Opus Dei grow, and undoubtedly sparked a huge amount of interest in the organization.

I read the book and personally feel that it's potential harm to the church has been greatly exaggerated. 99% of the people (those with common sense) will think no less of the church than they did before they read it, and a good number of those have probably gone on to learn more about the church after the fact than they would have otherwise.

[cmotherofpirl]

My problem with it is that while Brown admits its fiction, he alleges his historical facts are generally true.
that difference is lost on my people, including my relations who are really bugging me about it.

[MC IMaGiNaZUN]

Dan Brown is a fool

TRUTH IS TRUTH, and will stand the test of time. When ten years have passed, and scholars look on history, the TRUTH will be discovered. We have nothing to fear.

And the pop-culture phenomen will be gone.

OPUS DEI is not encouraging people to watch it. They are just saying, heck we are not afraid of the allegations of Da Vinci Code, because heck we know they are not TRUE.

SHALOM

[inDEED]

I'm actually torn on the issue...

I read the book and enjoyed it. I also planned to see the movie.

HOWEVER, after seeing the preview and even the URL for the movie: sodarktheconofman.com or something like that - I just feel that there is a very REAL evil presence behind the film.

I think it's VERY possible that Satan will use this as a tool to build his kingdom. I mean, if you think about it - one of the best directors out there, one of the greatest actors out there, one of the best selling and most controversial books out there...

I suppose my biggest "hold up" is that EVERYTHING about it is presented as FACT - even the URL suggests that we, as Christians, have been "conned" into believing in the Christ we know.

Anyone feel me?

[Apotheoun]

I'm not going to go see the movie, but only because I really have not interest in it.

[inDEED]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='963820' date='Apr 28 2006, 02:29 AM']
I'm not going to go see the movie, but only because I really have not interest in it.
[/quote]

Same reason I won't be seeing "RV"...
























...or WILL I???

[musturde]

[quote name='inDEED' post='963818' date='Apr 28 2006, 02:23 AM']
HOWEVER, after seeing the preview and even the URL for the movie: sodarktheconofman.com or something like that - I just feel that there is a very REAL evil presence behind the film.[/quote]

Come on man, I've felt more of an evil vibe watching The Lion King.

[quote]I think it's VERY possible that Satan will use this as a tool to build his kingdom. I mean, if you think about it - one of the best directors out there, one of the greatest actors out there, one of the best selling and most controversial books out there...I suppose my biggest "hold up" is that EVERYTHING about it is presented as FACT - even the URL suggests that we, as Christians, have been "conned" into believing in the Christ we know. [/quote]

Yeah, I can see that. I also believe that the Christians who already believe in Christ would not lose faith easily. If someone has a rational mind, he will investigate and find out more about the Church than he/she already knew. Now, someone with an irrational mind will follow everything a fiction author says as infallible fact. And people said we follow blindly....



[quote name='dUSt' post='963598' date='Apr 27 2006, 09:38 PM']
I generally find myself agreeing with this priest.

The book and movie, in the long run, have probably helped Opus Dei grow, and undoubtedly sparked a huge amount of interest in the organization.

I read the book and personally feel that it's potential harm to the church has been greatly exaggerated. 99% of the people (those with common sense) will think no less of the church than they did before they read it, and a good number of those have probably gone on to learn more about the church after the fact than they would have otherwise.
[/quote]


Finally, someone agrees with me! lol

I was soo happy that this priest responded this way. This shows that Opus Dei has nothing to fear. If they do a huge ordeal to block the movie, then people are going to surround that with controversial thought.

[Charms717RM1]

[quote name='dUSt' post='963598' date='Apr 27 2006, 09:38 PM']
I generally find myself agreeing with this priest.

The book and movie, in the long run, have probably helped Opus Dei grow, and undoubtedly sparked a huge amount of interest in the organization.

I read the book and personally feel that it's potential harm to the church has been greatly exaggerated. 99% of the people (those with common sense) will think no less of the church than they did before they read it, and a good number of those have probably gone on to learn more about the church after the fact than they would have otherwise.
[/quote]

I agree. I read the book practically when it first came out, and at the time I was an agnostic who had serious unresolved issues with the Church because of poor catechesis. But when I read the book, I nearly died laughing because I thought Brown was absurd

I think the book and movie are good things because it gives the Church a chance to show to the world who we are, what we believe in, and most importantly, it's an oppurtunity for us to spread the Truth. Sure, some wackos will believe every claim in the book- but I think you're right in saying that most people will get curious and will want to know what Catholicism is really all about.

I know the youth minister at my parish is planning on taking a group of high school students to see the movie, and afterwards they'll have a group discussion and Q&A. Not only will they learn more about our Faith, but they'll be able to have some answeres when their friends from school start bugging them with questions about the Da Vinci Code. I think that's a great thing.

Edited April 28, 2006 by Charms717RM1

[ardillacid]

I think I am going to pay for another movie, then see this one. That way no one loses except the people attacking the Church