Portugal Nobelist Saramago Angers Catholic Church

LISBON, Portugal (AP) -- A Catholic Church official in Portugal says that comments by Nobel literature laureate Jose Saramago about the Bible are ''offensive.''
Saramago's new work of fiction, ''Cain,'' takes a critical and sometimes lighthearted look at the life of Adam and Eve's son. Saramago said at the book's launch late Sunday that the Bible is ''a catalog of cruelty and of what's worst in human nature.''
Portuguese church spokesman Fr. Manuel Morujao said Monday the 1998 Nobel winner's comments were ''offensive.''
Saramago, whose books include ''Blindness,'' also clashed with church authorities almost 20 years ago with his book ''The Gospel According to Jesus Christ.'' In that book, Christ lives with Mary Magdalene and tries to back out of his crucifixion.

Notícia retirada de The New York Times.