Archbishop Peter Jensen and award-winning author Thomas Kenneally will be using the best-seller "The Da Vinci Code' as a cue to debate the origins of the Christian church.

The controversial conversation will be a feature of a dinner congratulating the winners of the 2004 Blake Prize for Religious Art.

Former New South Wales Liberal Party leader Kerry Chikarovski will moderate the discussion centring on the truth about Mary Magdalene, the Passion of the Christ and whether the shadowy Priory of Sion actually exists.

All three are prominent themes in "The Da Vinci Code', the blockbuster novel by American author Dan Brown.

Since its release "The Da Vinci' code has sold more than 17 million copies, as well as re-igniting old controversies over the reliability of the Biblical descriptions of Jesus' life.

Thomas Kenneally has cemented his reputation as one of Sydney's leading religious authorities with the world-wide success of his novel "Schindler's Ark'.

Archbishop Jensen's credentials include international recognition of his status as a reformed theologian as well as sixteen years as principal of Moore Theological College.

The evening will also include a special preview of the entries in this year's Blake Prize, and the announcement of the winner over cocktails in the Hermann Black Gallery.

The event is being hosted by the University of Sydney Union Foundation in the Wentworth Building on Wednesday at 6.00 PM.

Funds raised from the evening will used to provide mentoring programs and network opportunities for students.

See the Sydneyanglicans diary for details