The world is steadily gearing towards Christmas and the spirit that comes with it.
In Italy however, the spirit was wounded when a Roman priest reportedly told a group of children that Santa did not exist.
The Roman catholic diocese in Sicily has since apologized to parents after its Bishop reportedly told a group of children that Santa Claus did not exist.
At a religious event last week, Bishop Antonio Stagliano also said Santa’s red costume had been chosen by Coca-Cola for publicity, Italian media report.
The comments infuriated parents.
In an apology, Rev Alessandro Paolino, from the diocese of Noto, said the bishop had tried to underline the true meaning of Christmas.
He also added that the comments had been aimed at highlighting the story of Saint Nicholas, the initial inspiration for the figure of Santa Claus and known for giving gifts to the poor.
“First of all, on behalf of the bishop, I express my sorrow for this declaration, which has created disappointment in the little ones, and want to specify that Monsignor Stagliano’s intentions were quite different,” Rev Paolini said in a post on the diocesan Facebook page.
Rev Paolini, who is the communications director of the diocese had wanted the children to reflect about the meaning of Christmas,” saying the date had become known for consumerism.
“If we can all draw a lesson, young or old, from the figure of Santa Claus, it is this; fewer gifts to “create” and “consume” and more “gifts” to share”, the statement said.
In an interview with the newspaper La Repubblica, the bishop said he had not told the children that Santa did not exist but that there was a need to distinguish what is real from what is not.
