An angry reader . . .

. . . but just what is he really angry about? This letter recently arrived in my inbox from a reader named Michael:

So let me get this straight, Bishop Sheridan. You haven't read "The Da Vinci Code." You haven't seen the movie. Yet, you think you know what is good for us Catholics, and we shouldn't go see the movie. Give me a break. The book is listed under fiction. The movie is a movie. I read the book and it was a great read. Did it persuade me to believe Jesus was married and with kids? No. Do I think the Catholic Church is a little afraid of putting Mary Magdalen (women) in a higher regard? Yes. After all, the issue of women's roles in the Church is a hot topic.

Bishop Sheridan, you've totally blown your credibility when you say you haven't read the book or seen the movie. Maybe if you had, you could put together a case on why the book/movie is truly fiction. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and am secure in my Faith to know it's a fictitious movie. Maybe a little more faith in the flock is needed by you, Bishop.

This letterwriter underestimates the damage DVC can do. What makes it so dangerous is that, while it is absurd fiction, it capitalizes on and feeds the general skepticism of the Catholic Church and its authority and teachings that is prevalent in the world. You can finish the book knowing it's factually a joke, but it can still foster more suspicion on the Church and its leaders. Dan Brown tries to hide his prejudices behind his "fiction," but as this writer's comment on women's roles in the church suggests, Brown is getting his desired effect.

And this writer fails to acknowledge that many Catholics are too poorly catechized to refute Dan Brown's ridiculous assertions. This book is so widely discussed that Bishop Sheridan's points are still valid despite him not having read it (I have read it, incidentally). This doesn't blow his credibility. If he supported any of Brown's claims... now that would be a different story.