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30. 10. 09. - 15:00

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30. 10. 09. - 15:00

Osijek priests call for a Halloween boycott

Croatian Times

Thirty Catholic priests from the city of Osijek in eastern Croatia have called on people to boycott Halloween celebrations.

The priests called it a pagan custom that had nothing to do with Christianity. They addressed their appeal primarily to parents, schools and kindergartens.

The daily Slobodna Dalmacija has reported it was the first joint action organized by priests against Halloween.

Among other things, they said: "Halloween is an evil that has entered our homes, but parents just keep quiet, and professors claim it is part of school programmes. Only those who do not know their own religion will decorate their homes with carved pumpkins with devils’ faces. It is a pagan custom that destroys our religion and offends our Christian conscience."

What bothers the priests the most is that Halloween celebrations take place at the time of the Christian holy days All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on 1 and 2 November, respectively.

Professors have claimed Halloween is an excellent opportunity for creative work and artistic exhibitions.

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