The release of the film The Da Vinci Code is a golden opportunity for the Church to start a dialogue and clarify the important questions related to its message, said Director of the Institute of Pastoral Formation, Fr Fabio Attard yesterday.

Fr Attard was speaking at the launch of the booklet issued by the Curia on The Da Vinci Code. It is called Un-coding Jesus Christ.

The Institute of Pastoral Formation (IFP) compiled the booklet and attempts to clear any misunderstandings raised in the book The Da Vinci Code.

“It is true that we do not approve of the book, but we are not going to condemn it. Instead of burying our heads in the sand, we took the opportunity to see the issues brought up in the book and answer them with the truth,” he said.

Fr Attard pointed out that although the book is a work of fiction, it is a clever amalgamation of truth and fiction, which are not distinguishable.

“The author committed an offence with certain statements he made,” said Fr Attard. “He crossed the line when he removed Christ’s divinity and was disrespectful to Christians.”

The booklet will be distributed in over 70 parishes in Malta and Gozo and further copies are available at the Curia.

It answers questions about the meaning of Leonardo’s paintings, the development of the New Testament writings, the varieties of interpretations of Jesus in the early centuries of the Church, the place of Mary Magdalene and the feminine in the Church, and the relation of the Knights Templar in relation to the Holy See.

“There are certain areas in Christianity which need to be further explained to the rest of society and some of these were brought up superficially in the book,” said Fr Attard.

“Through this booklet, we are taking up the opportunity to give a deeper explanation which, unlike The Da Vinci Code, is correct.”

The IFP also prepared a supplement titled Sejha ghall-formazzjoni tal-fidi, which will be distributed with the religious magazine Flimkien and in all parishes this weekend.

Fr Attard explained the supplement clarifies certain fundamental points of the Christian religion which were superficially mentioned by the author in a careless way.

Both these documents are available online on www. maltachurch.org.mt.

The IFP are organising a round table discussion on The Da Vinci Code on Saturday at 7pm at Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

The three speakers, Sister Marie Scicluna, Professor Anthony Frendo and Dr George G. Buttigieg, will discuss various aspects brought up in The Da Vinci Code.