The bishop of Noto to the children: "Santa Claus does not exist"

"Santa Claus does not exist and the Coca-Cola - but not only - he uses its image to be credited as a bearer of healthy values ​​".

Antonio Stagliano, bishop of the Diocese of Noto, songwriter for pleasure, surprises everyone in the basilica of SS. Salvatore in Noto, at the end of a participatory event, the festival of the 'Ephemeral Arts', which attracted pupils of all ages to the Baroque town

The highlight of the event was the reenactment of the arrival of San Nicola on horseback. "No, Santa Claus does not exist. Indeed, I would add that the red of the dress she is wearing was chosen by Coca Cola exclusively for advertising purposes ".

To the amazement of those who listened to him - young and old - Monsignor Staglianò focused on a theme very dear to children: the upcoming Christmas holidays.

Those words took the little ones by surprise but the big ones generated the controversy, especially on social media. "I said that Santa Claus is not a historical person like St. Nicholas from whom the fictional character was taken - added Monsignor Stagliano '- I encouraged the youngest to have a more embodied idea of ​​Santa Claus in order to better live the waiting and above all the exchange of gifts. If Santa Claus is St. Nicholas, children should open up to a feeling of mutual help, to the solidarity of gifts towards the poorest children. With all due respect for the Coca Cola manufacturer who invented Santa Claus, the bishop's task is to announce evangelical charity, also through these symbols of popular culture. It is a way to do poptheology and recover the true meaning of the Christian tradition of Christmas. For the rest children know that Santa Claus is dad or uncle. So no broken dreams ”.