Harry Potter books removed from Catholic school because the spells are 'real' and can conjure 'evil spirits'
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Not everyone is a fan of magic and the Harry Potter franchise. A Catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee just proved the same as it banned all Harry Potter books and removed them from its library over fears that they would summon 'evil spirits'.
The reverend at the St. Edward Catholic School, Daniel Reehil reportedly consulted exorcists in the US and Rome and came to the decision to have all the books excluded from their newly opened library. As reported by The Tennessean, the pastor emailed parents and shared, "These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception. The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells; which when read by a human being risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text."
It is not clear whether the priest was referring to the 'Unforgivable Curses' such as Avada Kedavra, Imperius, and Cruciatus or some of the other bad spells from JK Rowling's widely popular series. Rebecca Hammel, the superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Nashville, had confirmed that Rev Reehil had sent the email. She added that he had also notified the faculty at the school. Even though the books are available elsewhere in the same district, it is up to Reehil whether he wants to have them at his school.
The 8-part series focuses on a young wizard boy who battles with the evil that he and his family have faced. The books had been published between 1997 and 2007 and eventually became a successful movie series as well. Author JK Rowling has also created additional books and movies within the series.
In the past, the franchise has been the subject of some controversy, especially in religious circles despite the popularity of the series. The Catholic Church does not have any stance on the series.
Hammel went on to explain why Rev Reehil could make such decisions. "Each pastor has canonical authority to make such decisions for his parish school. He's well within his authority to act in that manner," Hammel shared.