Clergy Take on Movie
Now before I get bashed for this now being DR related, it is. The Jesuit priest is one who is affiliated with ILAC.
TAMPA - The secret society of Opus Dei takes a beating, Roman Catholic Church hierarchy is accused of a 2,000-year coverup, and Jesus' divinity is challenged.
That aside, after watching a screening for movie critics at WestShore Plaza, the Rev. Michael Cooper and Sister Caroline Cerveny both give director Ron Howard's "The Da Vinci Code" an enthusiastic thumbs up.
"It was a lot of fun," said Cerveny, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph. "Especially if you like a good thriller and a good mystery."
"I plan to see it two or three more times," said Cooper, a Jesuit priest. "There are a lot of different levels to this film that get you thinking."
Howard can only hope ticket-buyers share that enthusiasm. The priest and nun gave a kinder review than some critics:
?"Snoozy" and "deadly dull," said Knight Ridder's Steven Rea.
?"Cursory and rushed," panned The Associated Press' Christy Lemire.
?Tribune critic Bob Ross gave it a ho-hum C-plus.
An Opportunity To Teach
How other Catholics feel won't be determined until the film version of author Dan Brown's bestseller opens nationwide Friday. But Cooper and Cerveny, both of St. Leo University in Saint Leo, said it's no time to get defensive.
"We should use this as a teachable moment, to understand what our history and teachings are all about," said Cooper, a professor of pastoral studies and senior religious adviser at the Center for Catholic and Jewish Studies. "Go with a friend, with a neighbor, and when the movie is over, get the conversation and dialogue going."
The theologian, who plans to include the book as part of his Catholic Traditions course at St. Leo's next fall, admitted it and the movie have some "pretty far-fetched ideas."
"Such as Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married. Humanly, you could not keep this a secret. Who can keep any secret for a few hours, let alone 2,000 years?"
His one concern: Some people will accept some of the plotlines as gospel. A movie such as this might be their only source of information about Catholicism and Christianity, he said.
To counter some of those points, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops set up a Web site, jesusdecoded.com, to address questions.
An Opening For Women
"The Da Vinci Code" is built around a series of riddles that the protagonists must solve as they flee for their lives from France to England.
Cerveny, associate director of university ministry, thinks she spotted a symbolic message when an older, subservient nun is killed and the independent heroine learns of her link to Christ.
"I think he [author Dan Brown] was trying to show that the church has another role for women," she said. "And he was trying to do it in a way to get women thinking."
That's the goal of hercode .org, an interactive Web site just launched by a group of female faith leaders. The organizers are using the book and movie to begin a national dialogue on the role of women in today's organized religions and how they can claim more equal standing in their houses of worship.
"I'll be disappointed if all the attention surrounding this movie just descends into an attack against the Catholic church," said participant Emma Jordan-Simpson, associate pastor at Concord Baptist Church in New York City. "The entire Christian church can benefit from a healthy discussion about the role of women in the life of faith."
Opus Dei Defended
One group that may not welcome the attention is Opus Dei, an influential Catholic institution steeped in tradition, secrecy and demanding spiritual practices.
The group is depicted in a most unflattering way in "The Da Vinci Code" - from diabolical leaders with misguided power and wealth to a self-flagellating albino monk on a murderous mission.
"They really come across in a poor light," Cerveny said, "which I think is very unfortunate because this group has a lot to offer the church."
A representative from Opus Dei will join a Methodist minister and Catholic priest on a "Da Vinci Code" program at 8 a.m. Monday on the Gus Lloyd Morning Show on WBVM, 90.5 FM.
Lloyd said they will be discussing the movie and how Christians can defend their faith against the "untruths" in the book and film.
Listeners are encouraged to call in, he said.
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