Saudi population reaches 35.3 million in 2024, majority under 65    Makkah Deputy Emir leads washing of Holy Kaaba    Al-Jadaan: Economic transformation thrives on partnership    Saudi citizen and Yemeni resident convicted in perfume trade concealment case in Riyadh    GASTAT: Industrial Production Index rises by 1.5% in May    Saudi Arabia to introduce AI curriculum across all school levels starting 2025    At Geneva World Summit, Saudi Arabia highlights great strides in digital leadership    Saudi Arabia updates road code to support autonomous vehicles and smart mobility    Children queuing for supplements killed in Israeli strike in Gaza    North Korean defector to sue Kim Jong Un for abuse    Theo Hernández: Al Hilal can compete with Europe's best    Abdullah Al-Qaisoom wins silver at Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship    Aubameyang's future at Al Qadsiah in doubt after cryptic post comparing Saudi League strikers    SFDA approves 'Winrevair' for rare pulmonary hypertension treatment    Trump threatens 50% tariffs on Brazil if it doesn't stop the Bolsonaro 'witch hunt' trial    Trump praises 'good English' of Liberian president, prompting criticism across Africa    HONOR returns to Esports World Cup as Official Smartphone Partner for 2025 The renewed commitment will see HONOR elevate mobile esports competition with cutting-edge AI technologies and industry-leading hardware    Michael Madsen, actor of 'Kill Bill' and 'Reservoir Dogs' fame, dead at 67    BTS are back: K-pop band confirm new album and tour    'How fragile we are': Roskilde Festival tragedy remembered 25 years on    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Italian diocese apologizes after bishop tells children Santa doesn't exist
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 12 - 12 - 2021

A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily apologized after reports emerged that its bishop had told children that Santa did not exist.
In a Facebook post, the diocese of Noto said that Bishop Antonio Stagliano's intent was not "to break the charm of Christmas for little ones".
Diocese communications director Alessandro Paolino expressed his "sorrow" for the declaration and said the bishop was trying to reflect on the greater meaning of Christmas "starting with the historical figure of St. Nicholas who dispensed gifts to the poorest."
Italian news reports quoted Stagliano as saying during a recent religious festival that Santa doesn't exist and that his red costume was created by the Coca-Cola company for publicity.
"We certainly must not demolish the imagination of children, but draw good examples from it that are positive for life," Paolino said.
He said that from the figure of Santa Claus, people should draw a lesson about giving and sharing instead of consumerism.
But, if the public comments section of the Noto page were any indication, the Sicilian parents weren't having any of it.
While several welcomed the bishop's attempt to focus on the Catholic meaning of Christmas, others faulted Stagliano for interfering with family traditions and celebrations and crushing the spirits of children whose early years were disrupted by the pandemic.
"You are the demonstration that, when it comes to families, children and family education, you don't understand a thing," a commenter, identified as Mary Avola, wrote.
Paolino responded to comments with another apology: "Dear parents, we are very sorry to have offended your sensitivity, we are well aware of your important and irreplaceable educational role."
"However, I reiterate that the intentions were not intended to extinguish the expectation of the little ones regarding Christmas and the beautiful traditions that accompany it." — Euronews


Clic here to read the story from its source.