Italian bishop raises controversy over the character of Santa Claus

A Sicily bishop has sparked controversy over the character of Santa Claus by criticizing consumers' madness at Christmas.

According to Italian media reports, the Bishop of Noto, Antonio Stagliano, said in front of the children on St. Nicholas’ Day: “Father Christmas (Santa Claus) does not exist, and Coca-Cola (and not only her) uses his image to present itself as carrying the message of values.” the good.”

Saint Nicholas (Nicholas), the patron saint of Myra, whose death is commemorated on December 6, is considered the archetype of Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, in European traditions.

In many parts of Europe, children receive gifts on December 6, and children believe the gifts are from Saint Nicholas.

In the Anglo-Saxon world, these gifts are given later, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (December 24-25).

Stagliano said Nicholas was a saint who gave grants to the poor, not gifts.

"In the Anglo-Saxon tradition, it became Father Christmas, but certainly not Father Christmas (Santa Claus) that Coca-Cola launched," he said.

Since the bishop made these comments, parents and the media have debated whether the pastor has robbed the children of Christmas joy and gifts.

The Diocese of Noto apologized on Saturday, saying: "It was not intended to stir up such media frenzy or disappointment for children."

But the celebration has become "increasingly consumerist, de-Christian and subject to the logic of the market".

"I didn't tell the kids that Father Christmas doesn't exist, but we talked about the need to distinguish between what's real and what's not," Stagliano said.

He explained that the question is why does Santa (Claus) give gifts only to the rich and not to children who have nothing?

"The real meaning of Christmas is in this cave, in the cold and frost, where the baby Jesus was born in a cradle of straw, which Amazon certainly did not deliver," he told La Repubblica newspaper, referring to the request for Christmas gifts. From an e-commerce company.

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