Many newspapers have been shouting headlines that the Pope has condemned Halloween. After reading many of these articles, it seems appropriate to sort out fact from fiction with what was actually said and why it was said.
First, it should be made absolutely clear that Pope Benedict XVI himself did not condemn Halloween. L’Osservatore Romano, from which the quotes were taken, is the Vatican Newspaper. L’Osservatore Romano has its own editorial board.
L’Osservatore Romano carried an article entitled, “Halloween’s dangerous messages” which quoted Catholic liturgical expert, Rev. Joan Maria Canals as saying ,”Halloween has an undercurrent of occultism and is absolutely anti-Christian.” Father Canals is a member of a Spanish commission on church rites. Please note that Father Canals, while a liturgical expert, is not the Pope. Father Canals continued by saying that parents should “be aware of this and try to direct the meaning of the feast towards wholesomeness and beauty rather than terror, fear and death.”
As explained succinctly in All Hallows' Eve: Halloween from a Catholic perspective, Halloween finds its very Catholic roots in All Hallows’ Eve or Hallowe’en for short. All Hallows’ Eve is the vigil before the feast of All Saints Day on November 1. In ancient time, saints and martyrs were “hallowed,” thus All Hallows’ Eve. There is some connection to the pagan celebration of Samhain, an ancient Celtic celebration. Read more about the pagan connection to Halloween by reading Samhain and the pagan connection to Halloween.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2116, 2117 clearly rejects all forms of divination, which includes conjuring up the dead, magic, sorcery and palm reading. All of these practices are in grave conflict with the teaching of the church. So, while Rev. Canal’s comments made headlines in papers across the world, what he said is not at all surprising, nor is it worthy of all the newspaper hype and misinformation. Of course occultism is anti-Christian! Does that surprise anyone? At all times and in all ways, Catholics should seek to see the goodness and wholesomeness in our daily lives rather than terror and fear. That, too, is hardly surprising.
Celebrating Halloween by dressing up and going trick or treating is not, in and of itself, against the teaching of the Catholic Church. Hallowe’en finds its very essence in ancient Catholicism. Has Halloween become too commercial? Absolutely. Do some use Halloween as a time to glorify evil? Of course. Should good Catholics everywhere stop their children from dressing up on Halloween and enjoying the fun of the occasion? This writer says, absolutely not. In fact, Halloween is just one more opportunity for good parents to talk with their children about good and evil and their belief in their Catholic faith! It seems that this is exactly what Rev. Canals was saying.
Sources:
Personal Experience
Christians and Halloween by David Morrison
Comments
Dear Rebecca, you wrote: "In fact, Halloween is just one more opportunity for good parents to talk with their children about good and evil and their belief in their Catholic faith! It seems that this is exactly what Rev. Canals was saying."
This is not what Rev. Canals was saying. You're misinterpreting what he said in order to justify your beliefs.
Halloween is the most important unholy day for Witches and Satanists. The Bible says, "I don't want you to have fellowship with devils."1 Corinthians 10:20. And it is written, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" Ephesians 5:11.
When the world celebrates Halloween, Satanic power is glorified. While you may have participated "all in fun," be assured, Halloween is serious business for Satanists. Our participation in Halloween says that we approve of it and its implications. It says God's Word can be disregarded, since He tells us to have nothing to do with any form of the occult (Deuteronomy 18: 10-12. Regards,C.
Thank you for your comment, Carla. I am not attempting to justify my own beliefs, but have well researched Catholic history an doctrine when it comes to Halloween. I am not sure you clearly read my article completely. I went into great detail about the occult and evil being VERY MUCH against Catholic church teaching. However, celebrating Halloween in a wholesome way is ABSOLUTELY not against Catholic doctrine.
Hi Rebecca. Not sure how you missed subscribing to me from AC --I started the thread! I'm subscribed to you now; please consider reciprocating to one or both of my titles. Look forward to your articles.
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Rebecca, I have also researched the history of Halloween and I have read your article clearly. You wrote "Should good Catholics stop their children from dressing up on Halloween and enjoying the fun of the occasion? This writer says, absolutely not".
Well, our participation in Halloween shows that we approve of it. It is that simple. What's the point of writing about the negative associations and roots of Halloween and then approving Catholic participation? “Celebrating Halloween” means celebrating the powers of darkness and there is no “wholesome” way to do it.
God's Word tells us to have nothing to do with any form of the occult (Halloween included since, as you clearly wrote in your article, the festival is associated with the occult). If, as you wrote, “the occult and evil are VERY MUCH against Catholic church teaching”, Christians should have nothing to do with such celebration.Halloween should be an occasion for Christian parents to sit together, open the Bible and read wha
From the previous email:
Halloween should be an occasion for Christian parents to sit together, open the Bible and read what the Word of God has to say about good and evil. Catholic children should not participate in a holiday which celebrates the powers of evil (or the occult). This is what Halloween is all about as you clearly wrote in your article.
Regards, Carla
I love Halloween. It's just a fun night, and I look forward to it every year. It's tradition! :-)
I agree with you. Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love seeing the kids dressed up, whether as spooks or as princesses. It's all for fun. Some people are too uptight.
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