Posted:
Unlike predecessor John Paul II, who praised author J.K.Rowling for living her life like a Christian, the hardline German Pontiff believes her books are a part of a conspiracy to undermine people's sense of good and evil.
The pope spoke out about the series after having been sent a book about the 'dangers' of Harry Potter by a Catholic sociologist.
The 78-year-old said, "It is good that you explain the facts of Harry Potter, because this is a subtle seduction, which has deeply unnoticed and direct effects in undermining the soul of Christianity before it can really grow properly."
The 265th pope, nicknamed "God's Rottweiler", also ranted that the Harry Potter books can lead to "subversion of Christianity in the inward being."
He spoke out after reading the book 'Harry Potter - Good or Bad' written by conservative sociologist Gabriele Kuby.
The outburst came two years ago - but went largely unnoticed outside of theological circles.
Catholics across the world are likely to be confused by the attack after the last Pope's spokeman said the Vatican approved of the books.
Fr. Peter Fleetwood said in February last year: "I don't see any problem in the Harry Potter series. They aren't bad. If I have understood well the intentions of Harry Potter's author, they help children to see the difference between good and evil."
Last night a leading Catolic theologian, who knows the new Pope well, said his views were motivated by an 'obsession' with the Devil and exorcism.
Uta Ranke-Heinemann, 77, said: "The Vatican is obsessed with the Devil and exorcism. It was John Paul II who said every baby in the womb is posessed by the Devil and only through exorcism can he become a child of God.
The Vatican feels it has the copyright on what is good and what is evil and it does not want anyone else infringing its rights to this monopoly. It will condemn anyone who tries to enter this territory without its permission."
comment:
p_commentcount