Tom Hanks: "Churches Can Benefit From The Da Vinci Code"  4/24/06'

Oscar-winner Tom Hanks is convinced his controversial new film The Da Vinci Code will aid forward-thinking vicars and help ministers swell their congregations.

The actor suggests church leaders should use the film, based on Dan Brown's bestseller about the possible offspring of Jesus Christ, to start a debate which will encourage more people to attend church.

Hanks tells US publication Entertainment Weekly, "I think the movie may end up helping churches do their job. If they put up a sign saying, 'This Wednesday we're discussing the gospel,' 12 people show up. But if the sign says, 'This Wednesday we're discussing The Da Vinci Code,' 800 people show up."

The novel and the upcoming film have been heavily criticized by Catholic Church officials, who believe the idea of Christ fathering a child and starting a bloodline that exists to this day is preposterous. They've urged their faithful followers to boycott Hanks' film when it is released next month (MAY06).