An archbishop in overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Poland has urged the
country's youths to shun the increasingly popular celebration of
Halloween, condemning the holiday as 'anti-Christian,' 'pagan' and
promoting a 'culture of death.'
According to a report from Polska
Agencja Prasowa (Polish Press Agency) Metropolitan Archbishop Andzej
Dzięga from the north-western Polish diocese of Szczecin-Kamień sent a
letter to his congregations, warning that Halloween introduces a “world
of darkness, including devils, vampires and demons” to school children
disguised as “fun”.
“It is with growing sadness that we see in
the last few years a trend of so-called Halloween celebrations growing
in Poland.,” the Archbishop wrote.
“I am particularly concerned
about such initiatives [being introduced] in school, where only mature
attitudes should shape the social, intellectual and spiritual growth of
the younger generation.
“This kind of fun, tempting children like
candy, also poses the real possibility of great spiritual damage, even
destroying spiritual life.”
The Polish Press Agency indicated
that since the demise of Communism, American-style Halloween parties –
including wearing masks and costumes and carving pumpkins – have grown
in popularity across Poland. Church officials are particularly incensed
by the holiday's proximity to the observance of Roman Catholic All
Saints' Day on November 1.
The Catholic Church in Poland agrees
with the archbishop, warning that the "occult rituals" of Halloween
directly contradicts the values of Christianity.
One of the most powerful prelates in Poland, Warsaw Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz said Halloween promotes the "occult and magic."