Halloween Banned By The Pope?

[YMNolan]

It's not even September yet but I'm already having arguments with a friend who insists that the Pope banned Halloween. Does anyone remember an article published in [i]L'Osservatore Romano[/i] last October that made these claims? Didn't it turn out to be hoax? I just can't see the Pope banning what still is a holiday with Christian roots. I can understand him cautioning against the over-the-top affinity people have for ghouls and ghosts and the like as well as the mischief people can cause. Not to mention risque Halloween costumes that have become secularly acceptable. But banned? Really?? Does anyone have any thing that refutes these claims?

Thanks!

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='YMNolan' timestamp='1283184388' post='2165411']
It's not even September yet but I'm already having arguments with a friend who insists that the Pope banned Halloween. Does anyone remember an article published in [i]L'Osservatore Romano[/i] last October that made these claims? Didn't it turn out to be hoax? I just can't see the Pope banning what still is a holiday with Christian roots. I can understand him cautioning against the over-the-top affinity people have for ghouls and ghosts and the like as well as the mischief people can cause. Not to mention risque Halloween costumes that have become secularly acceptable. But banned? Really?? Does anyone have any thing that refutes these claims?

Thanks!
[/quote]
You have it backwards dearie, you don't have to refute anything, he is the one who has to prove his claim.


He is confused because the press had a misleading and false headline last year on the topic.
The L'Osservatore Romano did quote some liturgical types for dicussing the negative aspects of Halloween, but the pope said absolutely nothing.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2346126/the_pope_losservatore_romano_and_halloween.html?cat=34

[PaladinSoG]

WHAT BANNED! I can't wear my red power ranger costume any more!
This of course would sadden me if it was true.
As for a refute there isn't much I could say without sounding like an a**. You could ask if your friend believes everything that pops up on in the news or on the web. Or you can just be really mean and let them go on believing that while you participate in Halloween. Sometimes there is really just no arguing with people.

Now on a more constructive note, you could, I suppose, show him/her the article that made the claims and then show them the counter articles, claiming it as a hoax, plus giving the Christian history behind Halloween. If there is still denial then leave them to grovel in there ignorance while you go get lots of bags of candy! And don't forget to dress up!

[YMNolan]

Thanks for the feedback guys. The article is exactly what I was looking for cmom!

[Winchester]

Roll it up and beat him over the head with it.

Filling it with rocks is optional.

[Semper Catholic]

Lol I remember that one time Pope John Paul II dressed up as the dude from Scream (along with everyone else) boy was that a faux pax.

[Winchester]

I remember that time JPII Falcon Punched Ted Kennedy.

[Sarah147]

I did a lot of reading about this a few years ago, and I stopped celebrating Halloween when I realized what it was all about.

All Souls Day and All Saints Day are Catholic; Halloween is secular and Pagan.
[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6210&CFID=48948779&CFTOKEN=72718292"]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6210&CFID=48948779&CFTOKEN=72718292[/url]

I know of some very traditional Catholic families that celebrate All Souls/All Saints by making costumes and dressing up as Saints and having good, clean fun. That is wonderful. I think everyone needs to celebrate and emphasize All Souls Day and All Saints Day -- these are truly Catholic and we should make it stand out more than secular Halloween already does.

It's just like how Easter has been turned to focus on bunnies, and Christmas on Santa Clause. Sure, the eggs symbolize new life, but is this explained to children? Has it become a substitute to the resurrection of Christ Jesus? And Santa Clause; sure, he is based on Saint Nicholas, but it's lost it's meaning in the secular and it has replaced the birth of Jesus for many. And I am against lying to children about there really being an "Easter Bunny" or a magical "Santa Clause." The same for the "tooth fairy," for that matter.

[Theoketos]

So what your saying is that my priest should not dress up as Barney to give the final blessing and as EMoHC I should not dress as a devil?

[CatherineM]

I wish it was safe to go to Mexico. I'd love to celebrate the day of the dead again.

[Theoketos]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1283198516' post='2165560']
I wish it was safe to go to Mexico. I'd love to celebrate the day of the dead again.
[/quote]

Surprising, San Fransico does that pretty well.

[Selah]

I want mah candeh...

[Wikitiki]

Oh man, I love Dia de los Muertos! I live nowhere near Mexico or any US state that is generally known to have a large population celebrating it, so I have to go it alone, but it's still awesome.

[AccountDeleted]

Here is an interesting article about it..
[url="http://blog.beliefnet.com/bibleandculture/2009/10/should-christians-celebrate-halloween.html"]http://blog.beliefnet.com/bibleandculture/2009/10/should-christians-celebrate-halloween.html[/url]

It is really all about attitude, and how parents present the occasion to their children.

[Selah]

The only reason we give out candy is because I steal most of it