“No, Santa Claus doesn’t exist. In reality, I might add that the purple of the swimsuit he wears was chosen by Coca Cola solely for promoting functions,” Antonio Staglianò advised the youngsters, in keeping with Sicilian media.
Italian media reported that the feedback got here throughout an occasion held on the feast day of Saint Nicholas, the preliminary inspiration for the determine of Santa Claus and extensively recognized for his generosity.
However, after the bishop’s feedback went viral, the Diocese of Noto posted an apology on its Facebook web page, written by Staglianò’s press secretary Father Alessandro Paolini.
“First of all, on behalf of the Bishop, I specific remorse for this assertion that has upset the youngsters, and need to make clear that this was under no circumstances Mr. Staglianò’s intention,” the assertion stated.
Paolini stated the bishop’s purpose was to “replicate on the that means of Christmas and the gorgeous traditions that accompany it with larger consciousness and “regain the great thing about a Christmas now more and more ‘industrial’ and ‘de-Christianized.'”
“If we are able to all draw a lesson, younger or outdated, from the determine of Santa Claus (which originates with Bishop St. Nicholas) it’s this: fewer items to “create” and “devour” and extra “items” to share,” the assertion added.
Staglianò additionally revisited the feedback in an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica revealed Friday, saying, “I did not inform them that Santa Claus does not exist, however we talked about the necessity to distinguish what’s actual from what isn’t.”
“An actual reality has come out, particularly that Christmas now not belongs to Christians,” Staglianò advised the paper, including that “the Christmas environment of lights and procuring has taken the place of Christmas.”
He stated “client tradition” had obscured the true that means of the pageant, which was a message of giving — illustrated by the beginning of the infant Jesus, who was “born to offer himself to all humanity.”
The apology concurred, saying at Christmas “we obtain the Gift par excellence, Jesus Christ,” and recommended “displaying up for somebody we now have been neglecting or ignoring for a very long time or mending a broken relationship” as a extra significant present.