There was no controversy in Malta as to whether the book The Da Vinci Code should be allowed into the country. Hundreds of Maltese have read Dan Brown’s bestseller over the past few years. But a few weeks before the release of the film taken from the publication, we have had calls for its ban.

This, if anything, proves that unfortunately reading is not such a favourite pastime among the Maltese because there were no problems about its importation and selling locally. It is only now that the film is being released that this controversy has erupted. It is rather ironic that parts of it were filmed locally and, then again, next to nothing was said about the matter last year.

A pilgrimage was scheduled to take place in Malta the day after the film’s international release in a bid to push for the film’s ban here. But this has now been called off following the intervention of the local Church authorities and a petition for its ban, with some 4,000 signatures, was burnt.

The Church acknowledged the harm that could be caused to its teachings, but it expressed disapproval to the idea that a pilgrimage should be held and did not give its consent.

The Curia has taken the right approach to the matter. While saying that the book and the film contain inventions of fantasy and do not agree with historical facts, it urged Catholics to use their intelligence and sense of responsibility in the circumstances and particularly, called on parents to treat the matter delicately with their children.

It was a mature way of dealing with the matter. The Church did not call for the ban of the film. Neither did it advise Catholics not to go to watch it. It left it to everyone’s conscience.

And so it should be. In a day and age where we hear a lot about freedom of expression and for all censorship to stop, it would have been wrong if the Church opted to call for the ban or promote calls for such. It would have probably brought about the reverse effect, and possibly more people would have flocked to the cinemas.

Thousands will still do when the film is released in Malta, and it is here that the authorities should be careful. It would be appropriate for the film to be open only to mature audiences, those who find it easier to make the difference between fact and fiction. After all, the story in the book and the film is fictional and should be treated as such. The hundreds that have read the book have taken it in their stride – as another “invented story”, a page-turner because of its fast pace, but nothing more than a story that was well-written.

The local Church authorities have taken another step in all this. They have said that they will be publishing a manual on the book, to be made available in the middle of this month just before the film is released.

The manual will provide answers to many questions raised in the novel and the film, which it said raise doubts in people’s minds about the nature of Jesus. Again, it was the right thing to do.

While allowing people to read the book and watch the film without any problems, the Curia thought it fit to prepare this manual which will come in handy for those who want to know more about the matters raised – if they get doubtful after watching the film.

Malta has moved on from the times when everything was under control. In the past, the Church was very often accused of not being open-minded. In this case, the Church has chosen the best way in the circumstances.