Harry Potter and Catholicism
Posted by Kristy Calaway on July 19, 2009
I’ll admit it. I love the Harry Potter series and am excited every time a new Potter movie comes out. Sometimes I re-read all the books up to the most current movie; other times I read just one or two of the books. It never ceases to captivate me. Maybe it’s because I sort of came of age with Harry. I began reading the books in junior high, just a couple years older than Harry was in the series and I finished the summer after I graduated from college when the final book came out. I look forward to each movie and always disappointed when they don’t follow the book as closely as I’d like (yet I own all of them that have been released. . .).
I remember a few years ago when the Vatican opposed the Harry Potter books. Mostly I remember being shocked that the Vatican still did that sort of thing. To me, that seemed like something that happened in the 1700s–not the present-day. Even more incredible to me was that a young adult novel about the battle of good versus evil would be opposed because it involved witches, wizards, and magic. Of course, since I loved the books and movies, I found this Vatican statement to show how out of touch with reality our Church often finds itself. I couldn’t believe that the news was reporting the Vatican’s opposition to a book series that attracted so many children and even adults to reading. We live in a culture of non-stop television programing that more often than not features and glorifies violence, drugs, and unhealthy sex. Is Harry Potter really going to ruin people’s souls, as Harry demonstrates love and courage in the face of evil? Aren’t we called to live in a selfless manner that puts love above all else? Did anyone in the Vatican actually read the books?
As the sixth movie came out this past week, mainstream news sources reported that the Vatican newspaper gave a warm review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Thank goodness, I thought, it’s about time. Perhaps the Vatican is finally recognizing that this fictional series is full of beautiful lessons about overcoming sexism and racism, working towards the common good, making choices and sacrifices that affect the lives of others, and recognizing the destruction caused by greed. If I were a teacher, I could think of countless ways to use illustrations from these books to start classroom discussions about modern issues. Let’s just hope that the hierarchy is starting to see this too. . .
Kristy recently returned home to Ohio after 16 months in Chillan, Chile where she was a lay volunteer of the Sisters of Humility of Mary at the Casa Ursulina (www.casaursulina.org). She graduated from John Carroll University in 2007 with majors in Political Science and Spanish. Kristy will begin studying for her Master of Divinity at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley this fall. Lately, she’s been biking around her hometown and enjoying visits with old friends.
Becky Chabot said
Because I’m also a GIANT Harry Potter nerd…have you ever been sorted? If so, what house?
I think that the seventh book helped make it easier for the Vatican to endorse the series, when the battle between good and evil became so starkly present and it became clear that magic can be good or evil and it’s about the choices you make.
Bill Przylucki said
What I always wondered in these types of cases is whether or not the Vatican considers intent or the material results of a particular book or film. I am fairly confidant that JKR was not trying to convince anybody that wizards actually exist (we are all muggles), and I wonder if the folks at the Vatican try to figure out if many people actually start to believe there are witches or wizards (once again, doubtful).
Anybody know how this influences the decisions that come from Rome?
the anthromodeologist said
Like ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ with Aslan’s Christ-like ressurection, the seventh Potter book does much to secure itself fans with the more strident or some might say ‘fanatical’ Christian groups through the message of Harry’s self-sacrifice that turns out not to kill him after all. The message of sacrificing yourself for the common good no doubt did a lot to sway the feelings about this series back toward the more friendly.
However, I do think the Vatican, had they bothered to read the books (and I seriously doubt they did) would also have seen the blatant messages of anti-Nazi propaganda evident in Rowling’s writing, as well as a constant message of light over dark, hope over despair, and all those other similar dualities that send out that message that good will triumph over evil.
The series has even helped teachers form an introduction into teaching younger students about the Holocaust – the notion of Death Eaters rounding up and eliminating Muggles having clear parallels. The attire of the Death Eaters as they are portrayed in the films also has strong leanings towards images of the Klu-Klux Clan – again, another important but sometimes difficult historical topic to approach with schoolchildren.
I can’t say that I find the Potter books very original, as they clearly draw on many past children’s stories and as we can see, important historical events. However, they are told in a very engaging manner and have done a lot for the literacy, and interest in new literature, for children otherwise living in an increasingly digital age.
the anthromodeologist said
oh ps – to Becky’s comment above – I have been sorted and I am Slytherin.