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Books
Kelly Cherry
Most of the time we think of the novel as a temporal art form Like music it begins and ends traversing the time between by way of a plot the plot determined to a degree by the characters whose fates are bound up with it But perhaps we can think of another kind of novel one that in emphasis at
The Word
Dianne Bergant
The title of a highly acclaimed musical comedy ldquo I Love You You rsquo re Perfect Now Change rdquo describes some of the dynamics found in many human love relationships We can genuinely love someone and be captivated by that person rsquo s charm and wit intelligence and sensitivity unsel
Columns
Thomas J. McCarthy
I am acquainted with the night. I read until drowsy, then lie in darkness hoping sleep will take me; the hope becomes anxiety, which puts me in mind of something I need to figure out, which sets me on a course of pondering unresolved problems, composing letters, making mental to-do lists and general
Letters
Our readers

Facts, Fiction and Faith

The refutation by your reviewer Gerald O’Collins, S.J., (12/15) of the mass of misinformation in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code is probably useful. But why do we need a distinguished scholar like Father O’Collins to refute a work of fiction? Fiction is just that, fiction. Why do we sense the need to refute Brown’s Code when we don’t take on the facts in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein or L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz or a thousand other imaginative pieces?

When Brown replies on his Web site to questions about how much of his novel is based on fact, he writes, The paintings, locations, historical documents, and organizations described in the novel all exist. Read his answer carefully. Places and articles are real. The book is a novel. Add only that a novel is fiction, which is literally not true.

Brown is an excellent writer despite his lack of basic character development. His Code is a page-turner thriller. For the development of his story, he dredges up every sort of half-truth, supposition and myth from the past 2,000 years.

What about those who may accept Brown’s fiction as truth? Many look for any and every justification for their prejudices or diminished faith. They jump at reports of the priest who fondles young boys, or of a cardinal who dies in the bed of his mistress or the reduction of the female to less than the male. Are any of these acts worse than God’s chosen Apostle who gave that kiss of affection as betrayal? These people may need a reminder that fiction is no more than fiction, no matter how it is written, how it is packaged, how it is hyped. Wishing fiction to be truth does not make it so.

What about the age-old allegations that Christ was in love with a woman or even married? We need to recall that Jesus was both human and divine. We believe that Christ was human like us in all matters except sin. Is it a sin for a man to love a woman, to be married? Surely our faith does not hinge on the celibacy of Christ.

Most of us in this day and age are blessed to have sufficient background and understanding to cope with the multitudinous challenges to our faith. Conspiracies, secret revelations, false doctrines, all pepper church history. But we do not allow them to degrade our gift of faith. Our theology is sacred and secure.

Brown’s novel is not to be missed, but to be enjoyed and accepted for what it is, fiction.

Rex Reynolds

Books
Anne Carr
In this brief but compelling little book Joseph Kelly professor of religious studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland Ohio offers a thoughtful contemporary theodicy for young Christians Framed as a meditation on the events of Sept 11 2001 the book marshals Kelly rsquo s wide knowledge
The Word
Dianne Bergant
The readings for this Sunday provide us with two distinctive themes a new reality characterized by a wedding and the challenge of life in the Spirit Everyone loves a wedding It is a public manifestation of commitment the beginning of a new family with all its promise and a great time for a party
Editorials
The Editors
George Santayana (1863-1952) lived in Boston for 40 years and taught philosophy at Harvard for 23 of those years. He had, however, been born in Spain, never gave up his Spanish citizenship and spent the last four decades of his life in Oxford and Rome. No surprise, therefore, that his comments on th
Allan Weinert
Bush piloting requires a special set of skills that goes beyond the automated instrument flying relied on by commercial pilots. Planes must take off and land on short runways that often represent a thin ribbon of hope in an unforgiving landscape. Landing strips are located in the heart of the wilder
Thomas G. Plante
The study of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy in the United States since 1950, which was commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, is scheduled for release during February 2004. This comprehensive
Books
Jose M. Sanchez
In September 1943 after the downfall of Mussolini and the occupation of Italy by the Germans the Allies landed forces at Salerno 160 miles south of Rome opening the attack on Hitler rsquo s Fortress Europe In Rome everyone the Germans included expected the Allied forces to be in the city wit
News
From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources
AIDS and Condoms: Issue Far From Settled at the VaticanAs the world paused in early December to assess the gravity of the AIDS epidemic, the Vatican found itself under a fresh barrage of criticism on the issue of condoms. "Activists Blast Vatican Stand on Condoms," "Catholics Should C
Poetry
Mary Fister
Mourning doves mired in snowy boughs
Books
Ed Block
An outspoken critic of the Bush administration and the Catholic Church James Carroll is a former priest who is becoming a redoubtable figure in contemporary letters Since 1974 besides writing a regular column for The Boston Globe he has published over a dozen books including novels memoirs a
The Word
Dianne Bergant
Today we move from one beginning to another from Jesus rsquo coming among us in the flesh celebrated during the Christmas season to his coming among us in ministry remembered during Ordinary Time His baptism by John inaugurates this ministry and it is commemorated today The Gospel says that th
Of Many Things
John W. Donohue
On the afternoon of May 22, 1856, Congressman Preston S. Brooks of South Carolina barged into the Senate chamber and used his walking stick to beat into insensibility Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts. Two days earlier, Sumner had given a fiery antislavery speech that Brooks claimed had libele
Books
Janice Farnham
Along with Francis of Assisi Th r se of Lisieux ranks among the most venerated and popular Catholic saints and commands an impressive following that includes those with no religious faith or affiliation Th r se rsquo s life writings and reputation have prompted countless works in print rangi
News
From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources
Iraqi Archbishop Calls for More U.N., Arab InvolvementArchbishop Jean Benjamin Sleiman of Baghdad said the answer to Iraq’s problems is not a hasty U.S. military pullout, but greater involvement by the United Nations and Arab countries. A sudden withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces would be a
The Word
Dianne Bergant
Did Mary understand how amazing her child was Does any mother We love our children and celebrate every little thing about them but no one really knows the potential hidden deep within that squirming bundle of humanity True whenever a child is born there are always those who gather around and m
John Thavis
During the countdown early this year to the war in Iraq, Pope John Paul II and his Vatican aides wasted no opportunity to broadcast their opposition to a U.S.-led invasion. They warned that besides being unjust, an invasion would be counterproductiveit would leave many dead and wounded, destroy Iraq
Faith in Focus
Sherryl White
It started months ago. Weeks before the autumnal equinox, long before the first frost, pumpkins began appearing in the lobby of my apartment building. Bedecked with straw hats and carved faces, they crowded our entryway and clustered around mailboxes, announcing the arrival of fall. In short order,