No ho ho: Italian church apologises over bishop’s claim about Santa Claus

[KingKhanWC]

A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily has publicly apologised to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that Santa Claus doesn’t exist.

Bishop Antonio Stagliano didn’t mean the comments, and was trying to underline the true meaning of Christmas and the story of Saint Nicholas, a bishop who gave gifts to the poor and was persecuted by a Roman emperor, said the Rev Alessandro Paolino, the communications director for the diocese of Noto.

Italian news reports quoted Stagliano as saying during a recent religious festival that Santa doesn’t exist and that his red costume was created by Coca-Cola for publicity.

“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,” Paolino wrote on the diocesan Facebook page on Friday.
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“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.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ologises-over-bishops-claim-about-santa-claus

I find this really strange from the church. The bishop told the truth to children. Santa Claus is nothing but a marketing tool to make money. Surely the church knows this and would want to spread the truth or is the truth not important to Catholics?

Do you tell your kids/children in your family Santa bought them gifts for Xmas coming down the chimney?

Once my nephew asked what Santa is getting him for Xmas. I told him Santa doesn't exist. Only your parents who work hard will buy gifts esp the likes of a PS5 which isn't cheap.

 

[sweep_shot]

Why are the parents outraged? LOL. there is nothing to be outraged about.

Children should know Santa does not exist.

 

[mustang]

Yet another case of religious idiocy

 

[KingKhanWC]

Why are the parents outraged? LOL. there is nothing to be outraged about.

Children should know Santa does not exist.

Some kids were upset their dad works for their presents.

Yet another case of religious idiocy

The bishop telling the truth or the response from the church?

As an American patriot, im sure you celebrate Xmas. But do you tell your kids some fat old bloke left them their gifts?

 

[mustang]

Some kids were upset their dad works for their presents.



The bishop telling the truth or the response from the church?

As an American patriot, im sure you celebrate Xmas. But do you tell your kids some fat old bloke left them their gifts?

Nope! Festivus for the rest of us baby!!

 

[KingKhanWC]

Nope! Festivus for the rest of us baby!!
]

So you don't take part in Xmas but do in occupation. I suppose its harder to convince Santa Claus is fake over WMDS in Iraq.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

No need to expose children to the harsh realities of life at a young age. Let them enjoy being kids.

Nobody in my family celebrates christmas but I guess this would be like telling our kids that a chiree roza isnt a real roza or that their cute duas to Allah need to me made in a certain format.

They will work things out for themselves when they get older but until then let them enjoy their fairy tales.

 

[KingKhanWC]

No need to expose children to the harsh realities of life at a young age. Let them enjoy being kids.

Nobody in my family celebrates christmas but I guess this would be like telling our kids that a chiree roza isnt a real roza or that their cute duas to Allah need to me made in a certain format.

They will work things out for themselves when they get older but until then let them enjoy their fairy tales.

What is so harsh telling a child of 5 Santa isn't real?

He is also a priest who was trying to preach the truth about his religion.

Your analogies are weak imo. Duas and fasting are still real, Santa isn't.


Back on topic to all.


Do you allow you children to sit on the knee of a stranger(Santa's Grotto)?

 

[ElRaja]

i remember people telling me santa was real when i was a kid and i didnt know whether they were trying to fool me or they actually believed it deep down and were gullible, guess i was a cynic from young.

as far as the issue of telling kids about santa goes, why should the preacher have a monopoly on telling the kids fairy tales?

 

[KingKhanWC]

i remember people telling me santa was real when i was a kid and i didnt know whether they were trying to fool me or they actually believed it deep down and were gullible, guess i was a cynic from young.

as far as the issue of telling kids about santa goes, why should the preacher have a monopoly on telling the kids fairy tales?

I never believed Santa was real. I never wanted to meet him in town or talk to him. Looked like a weird old fat man. Perhaps because I was always into sports from when I started walking, the thought of someone so fat and lazy wasn't impressing me.

I DONT think Orthodox Christians tell their kids about Coca Cola Santa.

I like Xmas in the sense it unites families, there is a sense of togetherness but the commercial aspect is terrible. You have families going into debt for one day of the year. Santa wont be paying their interest on their credit cards.

 

[ElRaja]

I never believed Santa was real. I never wanted to meet him in town or talk to him. Looked like a weird old fat man. Perhaps because I was always into sports from when I started walking, the thought of someone so fat and lazy wasn't impressing me.

I DONT think Orthodox Christians tell their kids about Coca Cola Santa.

I like Xmas in the sense it unites families, there is a sense of togetherness but the commercial aspect is terrible. You have families going into debt for one day of the year. Santa wont be paying their interest on their credit cards.

buying someone something, so they can buy you something of equal value, without having the discretion of getting what you want sounds stupid to me. i play along with the xmas present thing to avoid being a buzz kill but i never spend more than 10 to 20 quid on anything.

the commercialisation of xmas (and other events) is sickening, especially as ive seen first hand in particular when grand parents get older and find it difficult to communicate with their grand kids they'll often start buying them lots of toys to make up for it, i dont have any negative emotions towards the kids or the grand parents, but the situation in general makes me sad.

 

[KingKhanWC]

buying someone something, so they can buy you something of equal value, without having the discretion of getting what you want sounds stupid to me. i play along with the xmas present thing to avoid being a buzz kill but i never spend more than 10 to 20 quid on anything.

the commercialisation of xmas (and other events) is sickening, especially as ive seen first hand in particular when grand parents get older and find it difficult to communicate with their grand kids they'll often start buying them lots of toys to make up for it, i dont have any negative emotions towards the kids or the grand parents, but the situation in general makes me sad.

I do too as I have many friends who enjoy xmas. Not buying them anything somehow can hurt their feelings. I think its important to unite without partaking in some of the strange rituals of Xmas, ie I wouldn't evet put a tree inside my house, they are made to live outdoors.

You are totally correct on this point. I remember a disabled lady telling me she is alone on Xmas day. She told me she was supposed to go to her daughters but they called to say they are drinking and no taxis available to pick her up. She was utterly devastated, so I gave her a present.

The Church should send messages reminding people what Xmas should be really about, helping those in need instead it being a materialistic and selfish concept of eating/drinking too much and spending money you cant afford.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What is so harsh telling a child of 5 Santa isn't real?

He is also a priest who was trying to preach the truth about his religion.

Your analogies are weak imo. Duas and fasting are still real, Santa isn't.


Back on topic to all.


Do you allow you children to sit on the knee of a stranger(Santa's Grotto)?

No im a muslim so it doesnt come into the equation for me.

I can understand why it may be a concern if like you we celebrate but thankfully its not an issue in my household.

The preach should preach the truth to the adults who celebrate christmas so they can change their ways and stop it being so commercialised. That will have the desired effect and the parents can then communicate it themselves to their kids in a manner that the kids will understand. Just like the way you seem to have done with your family.

Hope you and yours enjoy the day.

 

[PakLFC]

Even kid's should know that this Santa guy living in Lapland or the North Pole is complete fiction. The whole Christmas circus itself is false as we all know. Nothing happened on Dec 25th!

 

[KingKhanWC]

No im a muslim so it doesnt come into the equation for me.

I can understand why it may be a concern if like you we celebrate but thankfully its not an issue in my household.

The preach should preach the truth to the adults who celebrate christmas so they can change their ways and stop it being so commercialised. That will have the desired effect and the parents can then communicate it themselves to their kids in a manner that the kids will understand. Just like the way you seem to have done with your family.

Hope you and yours enjoy the day.

I never said I celebrate it, I stated I take part , as in some aspects such as giving presents, going to dinner with friends who see Xmas as a bid deal due to the culture we live in. I spend Xmas day working or on here usually.

My advice to you is please read carefully and worry about your own.
[MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION] as a man of God and a father. Hope you dont mind me asking but do you think its better to educate children on the true meaning of Xmas helping others, the elderly poor etc or go with the commercial aspect such as Santa.?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I never said I celebrate it, I stated I take part , as in some aspects such as giving presents, going to dinner with friends who see Xmas as a bid deal due to the culture we live in. I spend Xmas day working or on here usually.

My advice to you is please read carefully and worry about your own.
[MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION] as a man of God and a father. Hope you dont mind me asking but do you think its better to educate children on the true meaning of Xmas helping others, the elderly poor etc or go with the commercial aspect such as Santa.?

Thanks. Take your own advice before you randomly ask people about whether their children sit on the knees of others, or worry about what Italian kids get up to in church

No need to justify your celebrations - enjoy your Christmas however you like man it's a free country. I Genuinley hope you have a good day and enjoy your turkey and crackers

 

[KingKhanWC]

Thanks. Take your own advice before you randomly ask people about whether their children sit on the knees of others, or worry about what Italian kids get up to in church

No need to justify your celebrations - enjoy your Christmas however you like man it's a free country. I Genuinley hope you have a good day and enjoy your turkey and crackers

lol. Read carefully I said. It was on topic to ALL, ie those who celebrate and use the Grotto. Clearly you havent left your house in years.

I will have a great day as always, hope the smell of hagis doesnt send you over the edge. Keep safe kid