Story at a glance
- An Italian diocese issued a public apology after a bishop told a group of children Santa did not exist in an effort to convey the religious significance of the holiday.
- “First of all, on behalf of the bishop, I express my sorrow for this declaration which has created disappointment in the little ones, and want to specify that Monsignor Stagliano‘s intentions were quite different,” communications director, the Rev. Alessandro Paolino said.
- “We certainly must not demolish the imagination of children, but draw good examples from it that are positive for life,” he continued.
An Italian diocese issued a public apology after a bishop told a group of children Santa did not exist in an effort to convey the religious significance of the holiday.
The Diocese of Noto told furious parents Bishop Antonio Stagliano did not intend to psychologically damage the group of kids. Instead, the bishop sought to highlight St. Nicholas, a bishop who gave gifts to the poor and was persecuted, the diocese said, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Italian media originally quoted the bishop as telling the children that his red Santa Claus outfit was a publicity invention by Coca-Cola and that Santa did not exist, according to The AP.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
“First of all, on behalf of the bishop, I express my sorrow for this declaration which has created disappointment in the little ones, and want to specify that Monsignor Stagliano‘s intentions were quite different,” communications director, the Rev. Alessandro Paolino, reportedly wrote on the diocese Facebook page.
“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.”
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
HUGE PLANET FOUND ORBITING TWO OF THE UNIVERSE’S HOTTEST AND BIGGEST STARS
LAWMAKERS LINING UP BEHIND BILL TO BRING FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK TO AMERICA
EXPERTS SAY YOU SHOULD WATCH FOR AN UNUSUAL OMICRON SYMPTOM IN KIDS
NEW HARVARD STUDY DECLARES WINNER BETWEEN PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES
SCIENTISTS SAY THEY MIGHT HAVE DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF ALZHEIMER’S
changing america copyright.
