Roman Catholic Anti Defamation League
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  15235
(412) 780-7784

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Walter Viola, Director: (412) 780-7784

Lawsuit filed on Federal District Court of Western Pennsylvania

Viola v A&E Television Network

(Case # CV-05-1788) 

Walter Viola, Founder of the Roman Catholic Anti Defamation League (RCADL) has filed a lawsuit in the Federal Courts on December 29, 2005 against A&E Television Network and Michael Dell, Chairman of the Board for the airing on the History Channel a program titled “Beyond the DaVinci Code”.

Walter Viola is contending that A&E intentionally sought out biased and fringe groups to portray the Roman Catholic Church and its founder Christ the King in such a way as to defame both the Church and Christ, all the while trying to hide behind the 1^st and 5^th amendment. The damages in the complaint were set for $15 million dollars to be paid to Catholic Charities.

The RCADL was formed on December 25, 2005, as a non-profit organization to combat any and all groups that continue to use the media and communication outlets in order to defame the Roman Catholic Church.

The RCADL has chapters in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida and is seeking additional chapters in other states along with legal assistance from Roman Catholics with legal experience that would be willing to assist the league in combating what the RCADL perceives as intentional, defamatory Catholic bashing.

The Federal Court ordered the case to Judges Amy Reynold Hays and Terrence F. McVerry on January 4, 2006.

The RCADL website (www.RCADL.org) is currently under construction, but is expected to be up and running by the end of January, 2006.

For a copy of the legal complaint or other additional information, please call Walter Viola at 412.780.7784 or email at [email protected] or [email protected]