Denouncing "The Da Vinci Code"

The Catholic Church in England and Wales rises to the occasion. World news from The Times and the Sunday Times - Times Online has the story here. Here's the short version:

THE Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales begins a campaign today against Dan Brown’s bestselling The Da Vinci Code, denouncing it as logically and historically flawed and a risible hoax.

A new Catholic website aimed at Da Vinci fans is timed to coincide with today’s feast of St Mary Magdalene, depicted in the book as the sacred vessel, or Holy Grail, who bore Jesus Christ’s children. The site, designed by the Catholic Enquiry Office (CEO), a national office of the Church, includes biographies of St Mary, Bible extracts, prayers, articles, web links, images and a cake recipe.

It includes question-andanswer sessions listing alleged historical, artistic and religious errors in the book, such as its depiction of the Catholic organisation Opus Dei.

What took them so long? Dan Brown's hatchet job has only made the best-seller list, what? A year ago? Two? The Bishops notice widespread interest in it now?

Historians have already dismissed Mr. Brown's ridiculous claims as to the novel's historical accuracy. The Church has wayed in on its grossly erroneous dipiction of the Catholic Church and Opus Dei. This ship has sailed, although the struggle continues. Better late than never, I suppose, but why late in the first place?