A bishop in Sicily wrecks Christmas for children say parents. He stunned the congregation, including many small children, by saying Santa Claus is not real. He was focusing on the historical person St. Nicholas.
Bishop Antonio Staglianò created controversy in Italy when he told his congregation, which included many small children, “Santa Claus does not exist”. According to Corriere della Sera, his words “froze” the children present in the church in Noto. Parents complained leading to a social media backlash.
The bishop followed with an attack Coca Cola, saying that the red costume of Father Christmas “was chosen for advertising purposes.”
Bishop’s true intentions
The clergyman later explained his intentions. “I said that Santa Claus is not a historical person like St Nicholas”, as part of an attempt to “recover the true meaning of the Christian tradition of Christmas”.
The bishop then waded deeper by stating: “For the rest, the children know that Santa Claus is their dad or their uncle. So, no broken dreams.”
The diocese of Noto issued a statement trying to calm the situation. Don Alessandro Paolino, diocesan head of social communications, stated: “First of all, in the name of the bishop, I express my regret for this declaration which has generated disappointment in the littlest ones.
“We certainly must not demolish the imagination of children, but draw good examples from it that are positive for life,” he continued. “So Santa Claus is an effective image to convey the importance of giving, generosity, sharing. But when this image loses its meaning, you see Santa Claus aka consumerism, the desire to own, buy, buy and buy again, then you have to revalue it by giving it a new meaning.”
The statement specified that the bishop’s intentions “were quite different, that is to reflect with greater awareness on the meaning of Christmas and the beautiful traditions that accompany it.”
Mixed reaction to bishop’s stance
Several welcomed the bishop’s attempt to focus on the Catholic meaning of Christmas.
Others, meanwhile, criticised Stagliano for interfering with family traditions and celebrations, and crushing the spirits of children.
