A leading archbishop is backing a campaign to re-claim Hallowe'en for Christianity.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham will urge all Catholics in his diocese next week to distance themselves from pagan celebrations on October 31.

Instead he will advise them to use Hallowe'en for activities appropriate for the eve of All Saints Day on November 1.

"In order to counter-act an increasing tendency for the popular mind to make the association between Hallowe'en and secular if not pagan imagery I would invite ever parish to think of Hallowe'en in order to express the life of the Church and indeed in families that this is the beginning of a feast in which we rejoice in the work of God seen in his saints and cause of great inspiration and joy to the world."

Archbishop Nichols' statement will be accompanied by flyers for the Night of Light Campaign, a scheme promoting Catholic celebrations on Hallowe'en. The key suggestion is that parents dress children as saints rather than witches. Damian Stayne, a spokesman for Cor-Lumen Christi explained: 'You get a sense of identity from what you wear. The Church explicitly condemns witchcraft in the catechism so why dress our children as witches?

"The children' identity is to be a saint for the Lord. There isn't any other vocation for a Christian."

For adult Catholics, Night of Light activities include attending a Mass on October 31 in honour of the saints, praying all night or as much time as they can in front of the Blessed Sacrament and contributing money to pro-life causes.

"With the Mass we are entering into what the saints are doing, joining in the worship of heaven," said Mr Stayne.

"Adoration is the same thing: the Book of Revelation speaks about the saints of heaven bowing down before the Lamb of God. So in a very explicit way we are joining the saints in adoration of the Lamb of God."

Source: Catholic Times, Sunday 21 Oct 2001, Reporter: Bess Twiston Davies

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