Hi Lisa,

I know that the chief exorcist of Rome, Fr. Amorth, spoke out against the books, and very persuasively. There is a good article on Harry Potter at Free Republic. The following web site also has some very good resources.

• NewAgeDeception.com — The Dangers of Playing God ... It's No Secret.
  Free Resources

Mary Ann

Hi Lisa,

I don't expect that there is an official Vatican position on the books.

It is not the custom, in today's world, for the Vatican to make such pronouncements. If the book made theological assertions that were misleading the faithful (for example, if it claimed to be a revelation from God but contain theological error), then the Vatican might issue a statement, (as it has for other such works). It is also possible that the Vatican might address a general subject pertaining to the books; for example, it might address the topic of exposing children to themes of witchcraft in literature, without specifically mentioning Harry Potter but I don't think it has done that either.

As far as I know Benedict made some negative comments about them but not in a way that constituted an official or formal condemnation so they would probably qualify has his personal opinion. This is not necessarily because the books are OK, but merely because the Vatican does not, in general, do such things.

So, if you wanted to argue that technically the Vatican has not formally condemned the Harry Potter books, then you would be on pretty solid ground factually speaking. But you would be somewhat disingenuous, much as if you argued that it hasn't formally condemned The Satanic Bible and therefore it is good to read.

• I expect the more important question is, are the Harry Potter books detrimental, whether or not the Vatican has officially taken a position?

which as I have said they almost certainly wouldn't do, even if they did think they were detrimental. That you will have to hash out on your own. I encourage you to approach it objectively, with an open mind. Sometimes it's very tempting for us, in the heat of the argument, to examine the evidence looking for things to bolster, prove, and justify our preconceptions, rather than sincerely seeking the truth independent of our present opinions. I admit it, I've done it. Let us be truth seekers instead.

P.S. For the record, I have not personally formed any conclusions on this subject. From what
little I've studied, there are good points on both sides. I loved the show Bewitched as a child
so I struggle with the argument that it is not appropriate to positively portray magic.

The most cogent argument I've heard against Harry Potter has nothing to do with magic;
it pertains to how the heroes are sometimes, probably not frequently, portrayed in an
approving manner as doing something ethically objectionable.

Eric

Good question.

• Why would there be an official Vatican position?

On matters of faith and morals and Catholic behavior, Yes. On any thing else, they can have whatever position they want and we are not bound by it. It is the official position of the lay person to take the teachings of the Church and apply them to things of the world like Harry Potter, and to also apply the received wisdom of Catholic spirituality, and any other knowledge we have come by, and be prudent.

When one knows that real magic is used (real words, real spells, real spirits invoked) in those books, that is important. Also, when one sees that this is not a fantasy world of pre-Christian or otherworldly times, but our here and now world, and that magic is used in a way that is directly contrary to the first commandment, i.e. trust is put in it to get things done that one needs or wants, then one knows that a sin is being portrayed attractively, and that at the least it is a temptation and a mind-bending experience for a young person to read the books.

For an adult — an adult can sort things through, of course but if an adult really loves the books and is attracted to them, he or she should ask, as we should about everything we are deeply attracted to:

• Why?
• What is attracting me?
• What hold is it exerting on me, and why could that be?

Mary Ann

Hi Lisa,

Mary Ann's answer reminded me of a comment Fr. Mitch Pacwa made on the subject.
From what I remember, I don't think he was a big Harry Potter fan : )

His point: Even if most of what you can say about Harry Potter books and movies is OK, it can be a confusing issue to uncatechized parents who can't distinguish between harmless books and movies and spiritually deadly books and movies.

A real life scenario could happen where Grandma is shopping for her grandson and says to his mother:

If Johnny liked Harry Potter surely he will like this book in the New Age section of Barnes and Nobles titled:

Demonic Witchcraft for dummies

or

The secrets behind Witchcraft
(BONUS 101 spells and how to cast them.)

So instead of a saint a day, he will be learning a spell a day. I don't think this it the type of habit the Holy Father would approve of :)

• Can a case be argued for how harmless Harry Potter books and movies are? <Sure.>
• Can a case be argued for uncatechized parents confusing harmless books from spiritually deadly books. <Amen even more.>

• Get the point?

Finally, I found this piece on Catholic Culture you may find interesting:

• Harry Potter: Agent Of Conversion

Mike

Hi, Lisa —

From what I hear, they're good-quality children's literature.

Having magical elements in a fantasy story is not a problem. I haven't read the books, so I'll just endorse Eric's comments.

— RC