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Harry Potter Books Removed From Catholic School Due To 'Real Curses And Spells'

Harry Potter Books Removed From Catholic School Due To 'Real Curses And Spells'

St. Edward Roman Catholic School has banned students from taking the books from the library

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Many students will be preparing to get back into the swing of things following the summer holiday. The corridors will be swarming with new school shoes, pencil cases and coats, but it might be best to hide the Harry Potter books - especially if you happen to be attending St. Edward Church and School in Nashville, Tennessee.

This is because the Roman Catholic school has banned Harry Potter novels from being checked out of the library as they 'risk conjuring evil spirits'.

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.
PA

For many of us, J.K. Rowling's wizard-themed adventure books consumed our childhoods, leaving our imaginations in a tizz. But for Reverend Dan Reehil, a pastor at St. Edward Church and School, they're much more sinister.

According to local newspaper The Tennessean, Rev. Reehil wrote in an email: "These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception. The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells; which when read by a human being risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text."

Reehil stated that he had consulted several exorcists in the United States and Rome and they recommended removing the books from students' possession.

Signed first editions of J.K Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
PA

The Tennessean spoke to Rebecca Hammel, the superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Nashville, who confirmed that the email had been sent.

Hammel explained that the Catholic Church doesn't have an official position when it comes to Harry Potter books but added that the school's pastor has the final say.

She said: "Each pastor has canonical authority to make such decisions for his parish school. He's well within his authority to act in that manner."

Daniel Radcliffe, JK Rowling, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint at the world premiere of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
PA

The email was sent out by Reehil following an enquiry from a parent, which was touched on by Hammel as she explained: "Should parents deem that this or any other media to be appropriate we would hope that they would just guide their sons and daughters to understand the content through the lens of our faith.

"We really don't get into censorship in such selections other than making sure that what we put in our school libraries is age appropriate materials for our classrooms."

The Harry Potter books make up the highest-selling book series of all time.

LADbible has contacted the school for a comment.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Harry Potter, Books, News, US News, Weird