Pope Opposes Harry Potter Novels - Signed Letters from Cardinal Ratzinger Now Online

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | July 13, 2005 | LifeSiteNews.com

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Pope Opposes Harry Potter Novels - Signed Letters from Cardinal Ratzinger Now Online

RIMSTING, Germany, July 13, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSiteNews.com has obtained and made available online copies of two letters sent by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was recently elected Pope, to a German critic of the Harry Potter novels. In March 2003, a month after the English press throughout the world falsely proclaimed that Pope John Paul II approved of Harry Potter, the man who was to become his successor sent a letter to a Gabriele Kuby outlining his agreement with her opposition to J.K. Rowling's offerings. (See below for links to scanned copies of the letters signed by Cardinal Ratzinger.)

As the sixth issue of Rowling's Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - is about to be released, the news that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger expressed serious reservations about the novels is now finally being revealed to the English-speaking world still under the impression the Vatican approves the Potter novels.

In a letter dated March 7, 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger thanked Kuby for her "instructive" book Harry Potter - gut oder böse (Harry Potter- good or evil?), in which Kuby says the Potter books corrupt the hearts of the young, preventing them from developing a properly ordered sense of good and evil, thus harming their relationship with God while that relationship is still in its infancy.

"It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly," wrote Cardinal Ratzinger.

The letter also encouraged Kuby to send her book on Potter to the Vatican prelate who quipped about Potter during a press briefing which led to the false press about the Vatican support of Potter. At a Vatican press conference to present a study document on the New Age in April 2003, one of the presenters - Fr. Peter Fleedwood - made a positive comment on the Harry Potter books in response to a question from a reporter. Headlines such as "Pope Approves Potter" (Toronto Star), "Pope Sticks Up for Potter Books" (BBC), "Harry Potter Is Ok With The Pontiff" (Chicago Sun Times) and "Vatican: Harry Potter's OK with us" (CNN Asia) littered the mainstream media.

In a second letter sent to Kuby on May 27, 2003, Cardinal Ratzinger "gladly" gave his permission to Kuby to make public "my judgement about Harry Potter."

The most prominent Potter critic in North America, Catholic novelist and painter Michael O'Brien commented to LifeSiteNews.com on the "judgement" of now-Pope Benedict saying, "This discernment on the part of Benedict XVI reveals the Holy Father's depth and wide ranging gifts of spiritual discernment." O'Brien, author of a book dealing with fantasy literature for children added, "it is consistent with many of the statements he's been making since his election to the Chair of Peter, indeed for the past 20 years - a probing accurate read of the massing spiritual warfare that is moving to a new level of struggle in western civilization. He is a man in whom a prodigious intellect is integrated with great spiritual gifts. He is the father of the universal church and we would do well to listen to him."

English translations of the two letters by Cardinal Ratzinger follow:

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Vatican City March 7, 2003

Esteemed and dear Ms. Kuby!

Many thanks for your kind letter of February 20th and the informative book which you sent me in the same mail. It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.

I would like to suggest that you write to Mr. Peter Fleedwood, (Pontifical Council of Culture, Piazza S. Calisto 16, I00153 Rome) directly and to send him your book.

Sincere Greetings and Blessings,

+ Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

=======================

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Vatican City May 27, 2003

Esteemed and dear Ms. Kuby,

Somehow your letter got buried in the large pile of name-day , birthday and Easter mail. Finally this pile is taken care of, so that I can gladly allow you to refer to my judgment about Harry Potter.

Sincere Greetings and Blessings,

+ Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Links to the scanned copies of the two signed letters by Cardinal Ratzinger (in German) - In PDF format: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005_docs/ratzingerletter.pdf http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005_docs/ratzingerpermission.pdf

jhw

[C2ShiningC]

I know you'll take umbrage

what are picking on me for? I'm crossing the Tiber! : ) And the journey is in part inspired by the election of Benedict XVI, as you know. Regarding Harry: I was entertained by the first one because I found it funny at times. Fact is, I got rapidly bored and have read nothing more.

There has been lots of comment on this thread of the "it's only a story" variety. Human beings have been telling stories for along time as a way of mirroring the world and understanding human character, and also as depicting the dangers and pitfalls inherent in our free will. Stories describing character flaws and the results of these are of great value in civilizing children and bringing them to noble adulthood. We should carefully select for them the stories which promote these things. As far as Harry goes, I am not well-versed enough to comment but I suspect the fact that it is entertaining isn't enough. It doesn't reflect the real world, so I can take it in stride. But I am an adult woman of 50+, not a ten-year-old kid with a sponge for a brain.

[Rutles4Ever]

Harry Potter and friends are characters children CAN'T emulate.

No one says they're going to plow themselves into concrete pillars at the train station, either. The point is that these books take something which, in the real world, is evil, and makes it attractive to impressionable kids. Go to any Toys R Us and they can buy a Ouija Board. Wouldn't that be fun? Oh, Barnes and Noble? They can buy Tarot cards and learn how to read tea-leaves.

In an age where a good portion of the population doesn't even believe in the existence of hell, the input of the pope (albeit when he was a cardinal) is welcome.

[Rutles4Ever]

My religion is Christianity. And there was nothing foul mouthed in my post. Insulting yes, but I find the very presence of condemning Christians to be the ultimate insult and they really make me mad, but foul no. I went well out of my way to rebel against my Marine Corps upbringing and not use any of the language my parents taught me in aggressive moments.

What would your opinion be if Harry Potter and friends were portrayed with values that loosely reflect the tenets of Islam - but in a fun and colorful way with great characters?

Would it just be a book to the HP true believers then?

[Rutles4Ever]

Who is teaching children that occult is evil in the real world? The only teaching on the occult they're receiving is that it's fun and inspiring.

You can't look at the decline of religious faith in the world and the rise of secular insanity, then tell me this isn't an important issue. We're already losing the Harry Potter generation to the homosexual agenda. It's naive to think this doesn't have an effect down the line.

[Rutles4Ever]

They force impressionable youths to chose between that which they enjoy and that which their parent taught them under false pretenses with inaccurate "evidence" and put an ignorant face on Christianity for all see. That is truly the devil's work.

Yes, let's suffer children not the facts. It may make them uncomfortable. How do you say that with a straight face?

Why teach kids about AIDS? It may force them to choose between what they enjoy, and what's intelligent.

[HungarianGypsy]

I guess I see the Harry Potter books as a cookie for the mind. A treat that's fun to read. Sometimes we just want to relax and enjoy something without it needing to have any deep meaning. Of course, I probably defend it because I have been trying to write fantasy for some time now. LOL!

[Rutles4Ever]

You might be right, stuff in Harry Potter does match my world view. Like maybe standing up to evil, even when it's hopeless. Never betraying your friends, but being willing to stand up to them when they're wrong. Working hard to achieve your goals. Putting aside differences so you can work with people.

Uh - it's called Christianity. But we can't say that word anymore in polite society. We CAN say "Wicca" and "pagan" and "paranormal" and "occult" with little or no opposition, however.

[HungarianGypsy]

Maybe a little Voltaire for variety? I remember my husband buying a collection of Voltaire and the bookseller telling him, "No one reads Voltaire anymore." My husband still hasn't read it, but I enjoyed it.

[PetroniusMaximus]

***and that's not divination, divination is trying to find real data ususally from the future, ***

Divination is also seeking after knowlege using spiritual means other an appeal to God.

div·i·na·tion "The art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury"

"...or revealing occult knowledge..."




***You're saying the books lead people away from Christianity, that is condemning, and false.****

Is that really the best you can come up with???


(Next I suppose you will argue that no book can lead a person away from Christ!)

[HungarianGypsy]

Have you read The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour? It is great historical fiction about the Middle Ages. I had to push myself through the first chapter or two, but by the time I got to the end, I was disappointed it was over. It became a page turner.

[grellis]

I've touched the Silmarillion but I don't recall Gandalf and Sauron being the same species.

Gandalf (Olorin) and the other Istari are of the order of Maiar. Sauron in his origin was a Maia of Aule.

I'm reading The Silmarillion now, for the umpteenth time. Gotta have something to look at until Friday at midnight!

[PetroniusMaximus]

***Who is teaching children that occult is evil in the real world? The only teaching on the occult they're receiving is that it's fun and inspiring.***

Exactly!

And HP is part of a larger trend to push occultism and witchcraft on kids. Others include the "Charmed" series or Disney's "W.I.T.C.H." and others.

[Rutles4Ever]

You're blaming that on Harry Potter?!?

Not on our failed public education system, or on neglectful parents, or an amoral society, but Harry Potter?!

I don't blame ecstasy for being ecstasy. I blame the dealer for dealing it and parents for not educating their kids about it. But it would be wrong for me to call ecstasy a "good" thing.

[Modernman]

Sometimes, though, it is not the author's imagination or writing skills that are deficient, but his moral sense.

That can make for a very interesting book, such as Lolita.

[redgolum]

To say that the Potter books have well developed characters is like saying that Britney Spears intelligence has an impact on world affairs.

Just had to laugh at that one.

[Modernman]

We could, but then we'd be as shallow and vapid as you are.

Well, shallow and vapid is better than being a self-important Hillary, like you.

[Modernman]

You see, she may look hot in a string bikini, but there's more than meets the eye...

All those little details make her even more attractive, IMO.

[dangus]

I believe the article's title is an overstatement. Ratzinger, in effect, instructed her to contact an underlig to investigate her concerns, which he deemed valid.

Harry Potter is, to my mind, "PG." With proper parental guidance and discussion of the issues which it brings up, it can be morally harmless and simply another work of interesting literature. The "good magic" in Harry Potter is easily discernable from occultism by a mature teenager. However, the subject of the book does require a parent to discuss what wicca is, ad to draw that differentiation. It is good versus evil, but with a problemmatic definition of good (albeit a good definition of evil).

I find your reference to MacBeth a gross stretch. In Potter, the recourse to magic is good and in fact, necessary and heroic. In MacBeth, it is purely evil.

Also to contrast with Narnia and Lord of the Rings, two spiritually beneficial stories: In Narnia, the children are forbidden to do magic, except those magics which they are explicitly told to do by Aslan. The point is to obey Aslan's will, whereas in Harry Potter, lying and disobedience with regards to magicare morally necessary; the authorities are sometimes bumbling incompetents. Harry Potter displays extremely mature morality dangerously combined with the use of magic. In Narnia, on the other hand, magic could almost be seen as sacramental: that which is commanded by Aslan/Christ is salvific; that which is otherwise is evil.

The Lord of the Rings' main theme is the rejection of illicit power, represented by the rings, which wards one away from occultism.

[JenB]

Uh - it's called Christianity. But we can't say that word anymore in polite society. We CAN say "Wicca" and "pagan" and "paranormal" and "occult" with little or no opposition, however.

And Christian culture has stopped talking about things like courage and loyalty. Has stopped telling beautiful stories of fantasy with meaning. Where's today's C.S. Lewis or J. R. R. Tolkien, or George MacDonald? As a kid, I absolutely hated the little "Christian" books sold at the "Christian" bookstore. They were about "real life for kids" as the authors saw it and they were horrible, stupid stories that didn't entertain or enlighten me.

Want kids not to read Harry Potter? Write something better. Put the blame where it belongs. And stop being afraid of a book that does not encourage kids to go check out wiccans or sacrifice goats or anything, that doesn't come out and say "Christianity is evil". Look, go read Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series, and then tell me Harry Potter's any kind of threat.

[dangus]

How clearly ARE right and wrong depiected? The good guys and the bad guys are clearly depicted. But Harry Potter requires a very advanced, adult morality.

Harry Potter's morality, viewed as an adult, is strong. But Harry Potter is a child, and the books are written for children. This child's hero, in the first (and most morally clear book):

* Lies to authorities on several occasions,
* Breaks into the library,
* Hides from his teachers,
* Disregards even the most grave commands,
* Uses magic against a person (yes, that means the magic is black!) to keep his secrets,
* Hides from authorities powerful and dangerous tools.

Each of these actions are morally reasonable, given the stakes of Harry Potter. But that formulation that they are moral takes maturity and responsibility beyond that of the target audience.