How Has Opus Dei Benefited From The Da Vinci Code Book And Film?

In a talk to Catholics in summer, 2006, Jack Valero, UK Director of Opus Dei, said: "We did think it was a long lecture by a nutty professor, very anti-Catholic, and much more grotesque on Opus Dei. I would have spent the whole film laughing except they take it so seriously. I couldn't believe it."

He dubbed the best selling novel by Dan Brown as "the complete opposite of reality" and attacked the producers of the film, Sony Corporation, for being deceptive.

But despite his attack on the story, he said that the Catholic organisation were the only winners because of massive media interest and publicity. "We've made a positive response to a negative portrayal," Mr. Valero said.

"We have become part of what people are saying. Our messages have been heard. We have all these enquiries and people wanting to join and so on. We've been able to show that we are completely open and have nothing to hide. So in that sense it's a complete and utter success."