Summary
A Catholic parish in Herne, within the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany, is facing criticism for advertising a “Harry Potter ecumenical service” to be held on February 28. The event will take place inside a church and use imagery from the popular fantasy book series, including themed costumes. This move has drawn backlash from conservative Catholic groups such as Christkönigtum, which argues that incorporating “magical” elements into worship desecrates sacred space. Over 700 emails have been sent to church authorities by Christkönigtum, prompting Archbishop Udo Markus Bentz and other senior diocesan officials to be informed. The Archdiocese of Paderborn has defended the service as a pastoral initiative aimed at evangelization in an increasingly secular society, using motifs from popular culture such as Harry Potter to help open approaches to the Christian faith. Isabella Struck, the parish spokesperson, emphasized that literary works like Harry Potter are not sources of faith and do not replace Scripture. Despite this, some believers have expressed concerns about the service. The parish organizers did not respond to media inquiries.
Key Topics
Church of the Sacred Heart, Herne, Paderborn
