Catholic Church disturbed by Halloween

[technomage]

American holiday increasingly popular in Italy (ANSA) - Rome, October 28 - With hotels and restaurants also cashing in on Halloween this year by offering fright nights and pumpkin feasts, the Catholic Church has spoken out against the American import and its associated commercialism .

Top Catholic theologian Giordano Frosini denounced this week what he called the "total emptiness" and "neo-paganism" of Halloween .

http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2005-10-29_1827839.html

Reading the article, I have to wonder if it's the religious differences, or the fact that the holiday (as imported into Italy) is perceived as primarily American.

[tmancour]

[news]

Reading the article, I have to wonder if it's the religious differences, or the fact that the holiday (as imported into Italy) is perceived as primarily American.


I vote for the latter. American culture is not real popular in Europe right now, and the EU pan-European "restoration of the Roman Empire" people just love poking it with a stick every chance they can.

But why? What did we do that was so bad? What could have possibly caused . . .

Oh. Well.

Nevermind.

Arion

[Krusader]

American holiday increasingly popular in Italy (ANSA) - Rome, October 28 - With hotels and restaurants also cashing in on Halloween this year by offering fright nights and pumpkin feasts, the Catholic Church has spoken out against the American import and its associated commercialism .

Top Catholic theologian Giordano Frosini denounced this week what he called the "total emptiness" and "neo-paganism" of Halloween .

http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2005-10-29_1827839.html

Reading the article, I have to wonder if it's the religious differences, or the fact that the holiday (as imported into Italy) is perceived as primarily American.

It does seem that they are more concerned with American commercialism than with the root of Holloween. If the Church is going to speak out, why doesn't it speak out about the Day of the Dead in Mexico - why they even have altars to their dead ancestors and expect visitations from them. Yet, I haven't seen the RC Church utter any criticism.

[technomage]

It does seem that they are more concerned with American commercialism than with the root of Holloween. If the Church is going to speak out, why doesn't it speak out about the Day of the Dead in Mexico - why they even have altars to their dead ancestors and expect visitations from them. Yet, I haven't seen the RC Church utter any criticism.
I saw some when I lived in Arizona, but not as much as one would expect.

Of course, at the time I was Christian and was appalled at the lack of response.

[Bill the Cat]

I saw some when I lived in Arizona, but not as much as one would expect.

Of course, at the time I was Christian and was appalled at the lack of response.
I let my kids participate. All they know is thay get to dress up in costumes (their favorite thing to do) and go to other peoples' houses and get candy (their favorite thing to eat). They are in no more danger of becoming Satan worshippers (no offense intended Geiffold) by trick or treating than any other event in their year.

[technomage]

I let my kids participate. All they know is thay get to dress up in costumes (their favorite thing to do) and go to other peoples' houses and get candy (their favorite thing to eat). They are in no more danger of becoming Satan worshippers (no offense intended Geiffold) by trick or treating than any other event in their year.
Oh, Crusader and I weren't referring to trick-or-treating, but to the Mexican celebration of Dia de Muertos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead).

And ... well, you and I (and Crusader and I) will disagree with the significance of the Dia, but back then I was absolutely horrified that the Church wasn't doing anything about it.

[Krusader]

I saw some when I lived in Arizona, but not as much as one would expect.

Of course, at the time I was Christian and was appalled at the lack of response.

Well, if you visit Mexico at this time of the year, you'll see what I mean. Jugs of water are placed around homes to ward off evil spirits. Skulls are placed on altars and food offered to the dead. I guess the Catholic clergy has kind of a syncretistic attitude, since Nov. 1st is "All Saints Day," and they rationalize, I suppose, that this fits with the Day of the Dead. I think, however, that the Baptist missionaries down in Mexico are pretty vocal about their opinion - at least our pastor is.