This week's Pilate has a story about a typical priest in the
Archdiocese of Boston. The priest, Fr. Michael Bernier, pictured below
in his lumberjack shirt, described himself as a "Pottermaniac" in a
talk he gave about - of all things - the Blessed Virgin and our Triune
God.
Father Pottermaniac told the kiddos harmless magic is not sorcery but a quest on a journey towards god:
"On the surface level it does sound suspect and does raise red flags,"
he said. However, he said the magic in Harry Potter is not sorcery. And
he noted that the original title of the first book was "Harry Potter
and the Philosopher's Stone." The title was changed to "Sorcerer's
Stone" for the book's release in the United States.
"I happen to
be one of the people who believes that there's a great deal of
Christian imagery and symbolism in the books. And I think it answers,
at least in parts, a longing that we have for Christ," he said.
Father Pottermaniac also told the kiddos that Pope Benedict has never raised an objection to Harry Potter.
However, the Pope had the following to say:
"It is good that you explain the facts of Harry Potter, because this is a subtle seduction, which has deeply unnoticed and direct effects in undermining the soul of Christianity before it can really grow properly."
The Pilate ran the photo and story without the actual quote from
the Pope - just in case you're ding-dong enough to see the picture of
the Plaid-shirted Priest Pottermania standing in front of his trinket
collection pooh-poohing magic as harmful and a cuckoo subtle seduction
bell doesn't go off in your head loud enough to do your own research.
The
Chancery Committees put in charge of wondering why sane people are no
longer sitting in the pews are organizing a youth ministry field trip
to Borders.
Father Bernier said that Harry Potter is "a symbol of all of us as sons and daughters of God -- humanity pursuing its spiritual perfection in Christ."
All Aboard!
FYI, Carol: This flannel priest is not from Boston. He's from the diocese of Springfield.
Posted by: Benedict Newman | June 30, 2007 at 01:51 PM
Benedict,
Thanks.
Sadly, Boston isn't exclusive to the phenomenon is it.
Posted by: Carol McKinley | July 02, 2007 at 05:57 AM
Right. But this priest did study at St. John's Seminary. He was ordained before Fr Farren arrived.
Posted by: Benedict Newman | July 02, 2007 at 07:05 AM
Benedict,
Yeah, he has the stink of St. John's on him doesn't he.
Fr. Farren left a indelible mark on the souls of the seminarians that Sean O'Malley and Boston College can't overpower.
Posted by: Carol McKinley | July 02, 2007 at 04:42 PM
Haven't seen the McKinley woman lately.....anyone know what happen to her?
Posted by: Lou | March 06, 2008 at 08:35 PM