A new Web site sponsored by the U.S. bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign has been established to provide accurate information about the life of Jesus, the origins of Christianity and Catholic teaching to counter claims made in the best-selling novel "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown.

The Web site, www.jesusdecoded.com, was launched March 9. A film version of the book is slated for nationwide release May 19.

The site contains information that refutes claims made in the book about the nature of Jesus; his relationship with Mary Magdalene; the first four ecumenical councils of the early church and how they shaped today's teaching about Jesus; contemporaneous accounts of Jesus' life that were not selected for the New Testament; the role of women in the church throughout history; and the "Last Supper" paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and other artists of his era.

Also found on the site is a column by John Thavis, Rome Bureau chief for Catholic News Service, on the level of Vatican reaction to the book and forthcoming movie.

There is also an essay from the U.S. bishops' Office for Film & Broadcasting on the marketing hype behind the movie; and a commentary, "What's Wrong With 'The Da Vinci Code'?", written by Father John Wauck, a U.S. priest of Opus Dei, the personal prelature which figures prominently in the novel.

The site also has production information on the CCC's "Jesus Decoded" TV special, including information on air dates and times in cities around the United States. The program, shot on location in Israel, Turkey and Italy, includes interviews with international scholars versed in art, history and Scripture who "help separate Catholic truth from popular fiction." It has been offered to NBC affiliates, but each affiliate's management makes the decision whether to air it.

"Many of my students and myself included enjoy a good, fast-paced novel, and enjoyed 'The Da Vinci Code' on that level, as a tall tale of adventure," said Alan Schreck, chairman of the theology department at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, who contributed an essay to the Web site on early church ecumenical councils.

"There's a level where this book is appealing to people," Schreck told CNS. "That is what makes it dangerous to someone, if they believe it's a historical representation or an accurate theological presentation."

Rather than cover up the truth about Jesus, as the novel suggests, the early church councils tried to uncover the truth, according to Schreck.

In those councils, the participants "asked critical questions and had entertained different views of who Jesus was, his mission, and in this process saw the need to clarify the truth about Jesus that sprung from the most authentic and reliable sources about him," Schreck said. "And there were many sources about him that were being promulgated."

The "Jesus Decoded" TV special will be available by mid-April on DVD from USCCB Publishing for $19.95. A companion booklet, "The Authentic Jesus," sells for $2.50, and a box of 100 parish bulletin inserts on the same theme sells for $12. Prices do not include shipping and handling. Orders may be placed by phone at: (800) 235-8722. ---CNS