'The Da Vinci Code' banned in Lebanon based on Catholic input

Published: 2004-09-21

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- "The Da Vinci Code," Dan Brown's best seller, has been banned in Lebanon at the recommendation of Catholic officials. A government spokesman said that "as a standard procedure, any book or publication that may offend the Christian or Muslim faith is referred to the religion's appropriate leadership for commentary." "The Da Vinci Code" was referred to the Catholic Center for Information, which serves as a clearinghouse for the church in Lebanon. Maronite Father Georges Rahme, professor of theology at the Lebanese and Antoine universities, said government authorities asked him to read the book and submit a report. Father Rahme said that, after careful review, the church recommended that "The Da Vinci Code" not be sold in Lebanon. The General Security Department's office then issued an order to booksellers to pull the book from their shelves.

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