Harry Potter books and Buddhist figurine are burned for promoting sorcery and the occult at Catholic parish in Poland
- The bonfire was criticised for evoking Nazi book burnings
Priests at a Catholic parish in northern Poland have drawn criticism after they burned books – including from the Harry Potter series – and other items that their owners said had evil powers.
Images from the burning at Gdansk’s Mother of Church parish on Sunday were posted on Facebook by Catholic foundation SMS z Nieba (SMS from Heaven), which uses unconventional means to carry out its religious work.
In the pictures, flames are seen consuming an African wooden mask, a small Buddhist figure, figurines of elephants and books on personality and magic, as well Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling.
They were all brought in by parishioners, who were encouraged by the priests to clear their homes of objects that had evil forces. Influential in Poland, the Catholic Church objects to Harry Potter books, which are international bestsellers, saying the stories about the boy wizard promote sorcery.
In the photos, priests and altar boys can be seen watching the burning objects.