SAN SALVADOR (CWNews.com) - Theater owners in El Salvador on Thursday refused to obey a government order banning the showing of the US film "Stigmata," claiming the order was an illegal infringement on the freedom of speech.

    Although the Interior Ministry had previously given permission for the movie to be shown to audiences over 18-years-old, a strong box office showing in its first five days of release and complaints from Catholics compelled it to reverse its decision. The film depicts an irreligious young woman who receives the stigmata, the crucifixion wounds of Christ, as she begins to spout sayings from the Gnostic, false Gospel of Thomas. It then depicts a Vatican investigation that turns into an attempt on her life as her "revelations" threaten to undermine the Catholic Church.

    Edgardo Orellana, who evaluates films for the ministry, said "the Salvadoran people, who are strongly Catholic, have sent telegrams and made phone calls requesting (the movie) be withdrawn to rescue our values." Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador said the Church had not intervened in the government's decision, but added that "there is no right to offend people's most precious and valuable beliefs."