Use the Da Vinci Code to evangelise...
A national Catholic agency has this week launched a Da Vinci Code resource website with calls for the Catholic community to use the film’s release as an opportunity to evangelise.
Created by the Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation (CASE) which is an Agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the interactive resource, is targeting fans of the film and spiritual enquirers. Director of CASE, Mgr Keith Barltrop, said, “The Da Vinci Code seems to have hit a chord with many people who are genuinely searching for spiritual truth. This search is a good thing and we hope that the new web resource will provide materials and information which help many on their journey of spiritual discovery. The source through which all the answers to our questions can be found is Jesus Christ.”
The resource features a creative mix of materials; a fact or fiction quiz, an article from a priest explaining why he values the gift of celibacy, links, books and information about events nationwide. The web page also includes ‘a Catholic response’ to this story, freebies, articles about St Mary Magdalene, ‘soul food’ (which is a link to information about prayer) and family tree resources. The Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham Diocese, who is the Bishop responsible for CASE, said, “We need to use the film as a positive opportunity through which we can enter debate and lead people to the truth about the Catholic faith. Every parish and group should be encouraged to use, as a priority, the resources which are being made available.”
The web pages offered seek to provide a positive and interactive interface between the story’s fans and the Catholic Church. CASE hopes too that the materials provided will give Catholics the confidence and tools to talk about the film with non-Catholic family members, work colleagues and friends. Clare Ward is one of the creators of the page and said, “This resource has been created for those who have a genuine thirst to discover what is true and real about the person of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. It specifically has in mind those who have a seeker’s heart. We hope that they enjoy using it.”
A prized and exclusive one to one interview with a member of Opus Dei is being offered as a competition prize on the new web resource. One winner and their guest will be treated to afternoon tea at the organisation’s London Head Quarters and will be given the opportunity to ask questions to a leading Opus Dei member. Jack Valero, Information Officer for Opus Dei, said: “Opus Dei have nothing to hide. We’re really looking forward to welcoming fans of the novel and film into our home.” The second competition prize is a visit to a World War Two code cracking museum.
The web page can be found at: www.life4seekers.co.uk A free and dedicated question and answer service is also being offered by the Catholic Enquiry Office which is run by the CASE team. Please refer enquirers to: enquiries@life4seekers.co.uk and / or telephone 020 8458 3316. Address: The Da Vinci Code, 114 West Heath Road, London. NW3 7TX.
For Editors:
For more information please contact Clare Ward at CASE on tel. 0770 939 1998. Email: Clare.Ward@caseresources.org.uk
Alternatively, Maggie Doherty, Media Officer, Catholic Communications Network on tel. 020 7901 4802 Email: Maggie.Doherty@cbcew.org.uk
An image of the web page is available on request.
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