A Catholic School Removes Books – Harry Potter & # 39; shelves



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On August 28, Reverend Dan Reehil, pastor of St. Edward Catholic School, sent an e-mail to school staff explaining his reasoning for the removal of books from the school library.

"These books present the magic both good and bad, which is not true," reads in his letter. "The curses and spells used in books are real curses and spells, which, when read by a human being, may cause evil spirits in the presence of the person reading the texts."

Reehil goes on to say that he consulted exorcists and the Catechism of the Catholic Church – considered the ultimate summary of Catholic doctrine – before making his decision.

Although the explanations of curses and spells are probably the most captivating element of Reehil's explanation, he raises other philosophical points, claiming that the protagonists of the book "promote a Machiavellian approach." to achieve the goals they want. "

CNN called St. Edward Catholic School to ask for a comment, but could not reach anyone.

Kindergarten to Grade 8 school belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Nashville.

Rick Musacchio, director of communications for the diocese, told CNN that the role of pastor of a diocesan school for Reehill gives him a "range of canonical roles" that he can address.

In other words, its decisions need not be approved or explicitly supported by the diocese, within reasonable limits. Musacchio also confirmed that Reehil's email, originally obtained by The Tennessean, was authentic.

The school says that it is not a ban

After the school 's decision began to attract attention, Rebecca Hammel, the superintendent of schools in the diocese, sent an email to school staff to clarify the school' s. extent of the purge "Harry Potter".

In a copy of the letter delivered to CNN, Hammel expressed regret that the decision attracted "unwanted attention". She also clarified that the school did not impose a ban: the series was never part of the school curriculum, and students can still read books in the school grounds. ;school.

She added that the decision to remove the books was part of a larger project of moving the library from one place to another, in which the catalog of the book was taken. school had been reorganized and some documents deleted due to their "age adequacy" or "poor circulation".

"Over the years, this series has drawn attention to his presentation of magic and witchcraft," wrote Hammel.

"While the Catholic Church has not expressed any official position on books and related movies, many voices in the church, even at higher levels, have stated that the subject may be appropriate if the reader's maturity is duly taken into account, leave these decisions to you as the main educator of your children. "

Since its publication in 1997, the series of books "Harry Potter" is the subject of an international religious debate because of its alleged presentation of mysticism, the occult and other themes which, according to some, go against the supporters of Christianity and Islam. In 2006, the series figured at the top of the list of the most controversial books of the 21st century American Library Association.

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