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Catholic criticism of Halloween is embarrassing and harmful

Bonn - Who is afraid of the bogeyman? Often the church, and wrongly so, comments Tobias Glenz. This is shown by the warnings about Halloween. They are not only embarrassing, they are even harmful – but the festival offers an opportunity.

Published  on 31.10.2024 at 00:01  – by Tobias Glenz

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You hear them every year: warnings from the ranks of the Catholic Church about Halloween. These range from an alleged "increase in blasphemy", a susceptibility to "acts of the devil" or the arrival of "evil spirits". Not to mention the fear that Christian customs will be displaced by the un-Christian festival of Halloween. It makes you want to ask: Really, guys? Are you serious?

You can certainly make what you want of the "US trend" of Halloween, which has only recently spilled over into Europe. Criticising a certain consumerism is legitimate (although Christianity can also sing a song about this - hello? Christmas?). There may also be more vandalism than usual during the evening hustle and bustle. But one thing Halloween certainly is not: a "real danger" that celebrates death, the devil and witchcraft.

Children who parade through the streets dressed up in costumes on the hunt for sweets and young people who go partying in costume in the evening simply make Halloween what it is not, according to some church representatives: innocent, carefree fun. When the church warns against occultism or even Satanism, this is - as far as most people are concerned - simply embarrassing and wrong.

And on top of that, statements of this kind are harmful: once again "the" church is issuing a ban - once again it is living up to its reputation as a buzzkill. And this at a festival that is particularly attractive to the younger generation, who in turn represent the future of the church or could be the future of the church. It would be wiser to see Halloween as an opportunity and create church activities for young people on 31 October. After all, the tradition of the "All Hallows' Eve", which is pagan in origin but was once already Catholic, can be taken up wonderfully.

So, dear church: say "no" less, express less fear of what is actually harmless, but celebrate more and let people celebrate. With this in mind: Happy Halloween! Have a reflective time on All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day! And in ecumenical solidarity: Happy Reformation Day!

by Tobias Glenz

The author

Tobias Glenz is an editor at katholisch.de.

Please note

The views expressed are solely those of the author.