Scholars braced for release of Da Vinci Code film

Catholic scholars gathered in Rome today to explore whether the soon-to-be-released film version of The Da Vinci Code will help spread hostile sentiment against the church or provide an opportunity to draw people closer to religion.

Scholars including members of Opus Dei – the conservative religious order depicted as a murderous, power-hungry sect in the best-selling Dan Brown novel - were participating at the forum on the potential effects of the movie, set for release on May 17-19 around the world.