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NEW YORK, Apr 17, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A number of Catholic groups are stepping up objections to "The Da Vinci Code" as the premiere of the Hollywood film approaches.
Ron Howard's adaptation of Dan Brown's bestseller based on theories Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had a child will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival May 17 and be released worldwide May 19.
The novel and film center around a plot by the Vatican and the conservative Catholic lay organization, Opus Dei, to hide the truth.
An Opus Dei spokesman on Good Friday made public a letter the group sent to Sony Pictures Entertainment seeking a disclaimer, saying, "This is a work of fiction, and ... any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence," USA Today reported.
"We are stressing that the novel is unfair in its treatment of Opus Dei and the church and for a reminder that there should be some sensitivity shown," Brian Finnerty, U.S. spokesman for Opus Dei, told the newspaper.
Sony has yet to respond to similar disclaimer requests already lodged by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights and a coalition of Catholic experts.
Brown's novel has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide since 2003.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
