Rachel Evans
In 2019, Catholic priests in Poland burned Harry Potter books, claiming that the portrayal of magic constitutes sacrilege. The book-burning event was hosted by an evangelical Catholic group called SMS from Heaven Foundation, based in Koszalin, which promotes religious messages. The group posted pictures of the burning on Facebook, along with Bible quotes condemning magic. This incident sparked criticism and debate about the role of the Catholic Church in Polish society and politics, especially regarding conservatism, LGBT rights, and abortion regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Gdansk, Poland |
| Date | 31st March 2019 |
| Books burned | Harry Potter series, Twilight series |
| Organiser | Catholic priests |
| Reason | Portrayal of magic, sacrilege |
| Attendance | Priests, altar boys, parishioners |
| Items burned | Books, African mask, Buddhist figure, elephant figurines, talismans, amulets |
| Social media | |
| Reactions | Criticism, condemnation, mockery |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics in Poland burn Harry Potter books because they promote sorcery
In 2019, Catholic priests in Poland burned books from the Harry Potter series, claiming that the portrayal of magic in the books constitutes sacrilege. The book-burning event was organized by the SMS from Heaven Foundation, a Catholic organization that promotes religious messages. The group posted videos and pictures of the event on Facebook, along with Bible quotes condemning magic.
The Catholic Church in Poland is a powerful force for conservatism and has a significant influence on the country's politics and society. It enjoys great authority in Poland, which is predominantly Catholic, and has the support of the conservative government. The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party promotes traditional Catholic values to appeal to Catholic voters and portray Polish national identity as strictly linked to Catholicism.
The book-burning event was criticized by many people on Facebook, who compared it to the censorship and book burnings that occurred in Nazi Germany before World War II. Some commented that it taught hatred and asked if witches would be next in line for burning, as in the Middle Ages. The Rev. Wojciech Parafianowicz, spokesman for the diocese of Koszalin, also criticized the event, saying he "did not like this form of priestly activity, which is wrong."
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, is one of the most popular fiction works in publishing history, with more than 500 million copies sold worldwide. However, some Christians object to the centrality of magic in the tales, as Harry Potter battles against evil, embodied in the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. The Catholic Church in Poland specifically objects to the Harry Potter books because they believe they promote sorcery and have a negative influence on human life.
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The Catholic Church in Poland is influential in politics
In Poland, Catholicism holds a unique position due to its symbolic and historical links to the country's foundation. The Catholic Church has played a significant role in shaping Poland's culture, politics, and national identity. With around 33 million adherents in a population of 38 million, it remains one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in Europe.
The Church has been a cultural guardian and a force for conservatism in Poland. It has resisted aspects of liberalization attempted by Pope Francis and has been at the forefront of debates on LGBT rights and abortion regulations, influencing policymaking. The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party promotes traditional Catholic values to appeal to voters and reinforce Polish national identity.
The Catholic Church in Poland has a history of influencing politics. During times of foreign oppression, it was a symbol of national resistance. Visits by Pope John Paul II galvanized opposition to the Soviet regime. More recently, the Church has been implicated in child sex abuse scandals, with nearly 400 Polish priests implicated between 1990 and 2018.
The Church's influence is evident in various ways. Religious events attract around 1 million adherents, and Catholic religious practices are common. In 2011, Poland erected the world's largest statue of Jesus Christ. The Church's influence extends to education and social issues, with 99% of children born in the early 2000s being baptized Catholic and strict laws governing sexual and reproductive health.
The Catholic Church's influence in Poland is complex and multifaceted. While it has played a significant role in the country's history and culture, it also faces challenges due to scandals and resistance to liberalization. The Church's influence on politics and society remains a defining feature of contemporary Poland.
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The Catholic Church in Poland has a history of conservatism
In April 2019, Catholic priests in Poland burned copies of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, claiming that the portrayal of magic constitutes sacrilege. The event was organised by the SMS from Heaven Foundation, a Catholic organisation based in Koszalin, which posted videos of the burning on Facebook, accompanied by Bible quotes condemning magic.
This incident reflects the Catholic Church in Poland's history of conservatism. Poland remains one of Europe's most Catholic nations, with about 90% of citizens declaring allegiance to the Church. The Church has enormous influence in Polish society and politics, with religious events attracting around 1 million adherents and almost half of the Catholic population claiming to attend Mass regularly.
The Catholic Church in Poland has traditionally held conservative views on social and moral issues, including abortion and LGBTQ rights. In 2015, the Church's hierarchy was rattled by the passing of laws regulating access to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), with some bishops claiming that lawmakers who voted for the new rules could be denied communion. The Church also backed a near-total abortion ban in Poland, which caused some Poles to question their relationship with the institution.
The Church's influence in Poland is also evident in its impact on public policy. The ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party promotes traditional Catholic values and has sought to bolster its image as a defender of Christian values and traditional morality. The party's promotion of Catholicism has led to stricter laws governing the sexual and reproductive health of women and the country's LGBTQ population.
In addition, the Catholic Church in Poland has resisted attempts by Pope Francis to liberalise certain aspects of the Catholic Church. For example, while the Pope has urged Catholics to open their homes to refugees from the Middle East, some Polish clerics have argued that allowing Muslim migrants to settle in Poland would damage its Christian character.
The Church has also been at the forefront of a broader culture war in Poland, with right-wing populist governments espousing traditional Catholic values and more liberal opposition forces. This polarisation is reflected in the country's political landscape, with prominent church leaders and clerics supporting the conservative-nationalist ruling party, Law and Justice, and its anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
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The Catholic Church in Poland is anti-LGBTQ+
In Poland, Catholicism is deeply intertwined with the country's politics and society. With over 90% of the population identifying as Catholic, the Church holds significant influence and has been an outspoken force for conservatism, particularly on issues related to the LGBTQ+ community.
The Catholic Church in Poland has a history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights and equality. In 2019, the Archbishop of Krakow, Marek Jedraszewski, denounced LGBTQ+ campaigners and referred to them as "the rainbow plague." The Church has also opposed clauses in the 1997 constitution that bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and has rejected requests for pastoral ministries for homosexuals. Additionally, they have supported the exclusion of LGBTQ+ staff from Catholic schools and promoted the idea of therapy to "cure" people of homosexuality. This stance has fueled homophobia in the country and made it challenging for openly LGBTQ+ individuals to remain active within the Church.
The Church's resistance to LGBTQ+ rights extends beyond its religious teachings. It has influenced the creation of stricter laws that impact the LGBTQ+ community, women's sexual and reproductive health, and the broader culture war in Poland. The ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) has promoted traditional Catholic values to appeal to conservative voters and reinforce Polish national identity as linked to Catholicism. This has resulted in Poland offering far fewer rights to LGBTQ+ individuals compared to other European countries, ranking as the worst in the EU for LGBTQ+ rights for five consecutive years.
However, there are signs of change and division within the Church itself. In May 2024, the first public blessing of same-sex couples in a church took place in Warsaw, involving both Catholic and Protestant clergy. This event signaled a more liberal attitude among some clergy members, who are advocating for the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights within the Church. Additionally, there are activists like Niemiec, a priest and prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist, who organized Poland's first Equality Parade in 2001, challenging the condemnation and hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community.
While the Catholic Church in Poland has been a powerful force in shaping the country's stance on LGBTQ+ issues, there are growing efforts from both within and outside the Church to foster greater acceptance, inclusion, and legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
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Catholics in Poland have been criticised for book burning
Catholics in Poland have been criticised for burning books, including the ""Harry Potter" series, and other items that they consider to be linked to the occult and magic. The book-burning event was carried out by priests from a Catholic parish in northern Poland and was criticised by many people on Facebook, who compared it to similar incidents that occurred in Nazi Germany before World War II. Some comments also mentioned that this taught hatred and asked if witches would be burned next.
The Catholic Church in Poland is influential and objects to the "Harry Potter" books, which are international bestsellers, saying they promote sorcery. The country's conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government also espouses traditional Catholic values, and the Church has a significant influence on Polish society. Simona Guerra, an associate professor of politics at the University of Leicester, wrote in 2016 that "religious events are becoming platforms for political discussions, while religious figures are attending state ceremonies and are enjoying an influential voice in policymaking".
The book-burning incident occurred in Gdansk's Mother of Church parish on Sunday, March 31, 2019. Images from the event were posted on Facebook by a Catholic foundation called SMS z Nieba (SMS from Heaven), which uses unconventional means to carry out its religious work. The foundation said the book burning was intended to alert parishioners to bad influences that come from magic and the occult.
In the pictures, flames are consuming an African wooden mask, a small Buddhist figure, figurines of elephants and books on personality and magic, as well as those by J.K. Rowling. These items were brought in by parishioners, who were encouraged by the priests to clear their homes of objects that had evil forces. One of the priests, Father Jan Kucharski, said that they had burned items 'linked to the occult and magic', and that 'aside from the books, there were talismans and amulets. Parishioners brought them to put things in order'.
This is not the first time that the Harry Potter series has attracted the ire of religious zealots. In 2016, a cartoon film promoted by several Russian government agencies featured a plot backed by NATO and Harry Potter to subvert and corrupt Russian schoolchildren.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. In 2019, Catholic priests in Poland burned Harry Potter books, claiming that the portrayal of magic constitutes sacrilege.
Catholics in Poland are burning Harry Potter books because they believe the series promotes sorcery and magic, which goes against their religious beliefs.
The book burning took place in the northwestern city of Koszalin, in an outdoor fire pit.
The group behind the book burning is called "SMS From Heaven", a Catholic organization that promotes religious messages.
Along with the Harry Potter books, items such as an African-styled face mask, a small Buddhist figure, figurines of elephants, and books on magic and personality were also burned.
