Despite criticism in some evangelical quarters about the "Harry Potter" books and their emphasis on supernatural powers and magic, the Vatican -- like the nearly 200 million people who have bought copies of J.K. Rowling's books worldwide -- thinks the boy wizard is just a-okay.
Speaking on the good-vs.-evil elements of the Potter plotlines, which he found to be imbued with Christian morals, the Rev. Don Peter Fleetwood told a Vatican news conference Monday, "I don't see any, any problems in the 'Harry Potter' series," reports the Associated Press.
His remarks came after he was asked whether the doctrines of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry conflicted in any way with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
"I don't think there's anyone in this room who grew up without fairies, magic and angels in their imaginary world," said Fleetwood. "They aren't bad. They aren't serving as a banner for an anti-Christian ideology.
"If I have understood well the intentions of Harry Potter's author, they help children to see the difference between good and evil," he continued. "And she is very clear on this."
Furthermore, he stated, Rowling (like Fleetwood, a Brit), was "Christian by conviction (and) is Christian in her mode of living, even in her way of writing."
Amen.
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