Church sparks outrage over 'magical' Harry Potter-themed service: 'Zeitgeist-driven'

A Roman Catholic church in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, has prompted outrage for opening its sanctuary later this month for a Harry Potter-themed "worship service" that promises to be a "magical evening," according to its description.

Sacred Heart Church in Herne recently issued an advertisement announcing the Feb. 28 event titled "Harry Potter Gottesdienst," a German word that can be translated as "God's service," "divine service" or simply "worship service." The word was used by Protestant Reformer Martin Luther in his famous German translation of the Bible to translate James 1:27, which refers to "religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father."

Comparing its sanctuary to the "Great Hall," where large events were held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the children's series, the Sacred Heart Church invited "fans and Hogwarts newcomers" to gather "among candles, light and darkness, which shows us how hope takes shape."

The event also promises "Butterbeer and sweets from Honeydukes," both of which appear in the books. "Feel free to arrive in the colors of your [Hogwarts] house or in magical attire costume," the advertisement says, adding, "Muggle clothing is of course also permitted."

Hundreds have emailed the Archdiocese of Paderborn to express their opposition to the event, according to EWTN News. Christkönigtum, a conservative Catholic organization that is spearheading a public pushback campaign, told the Catholic outlet that the Harry Potter-themed event trivializes and even desecrates the sacred space by implementing "magical and occult motifs."

"Our motivation is clear," Kevin Mis of Christkönigtum said. "We do not tolerate God's houses being profaned by zeitgeist-driven — in this case explicitly occult and magical — events. This 'ecumenical Harry Potter service' must not take place."

The Archdiocese of Paderborn has justified the event by claiming it is an attempt to evangelize in a society increasingly abandoning religion.

"Familiar images and stories from contemporary culture can help to open up initial approaches to the Christian faith and build bridges to the holy Scriptures," Isabella Struck, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese, told EWTN.

"With this in mind, local pastoral workers are drawing on motifs from the well-known and popular Harry Potter series, which is an integral part of the lives of many young people — and adults too — for an ecumenical service of the word."

Struck assured that Harry Potter was not replacing Scripture, and that "the sacred character of the service and the dignity of the church interior remain fully preserved."

"At the same time, it has been noted that some believers have expressed questions and concerns in connection with the announcement of the service. This feedback is being taken seriously and will be incorporated into the further planning and organization of the service," she added.

As in much of Europe, rates of Christianity in Germany have plummeted in recent generations. According to data released last year by the Weltanschauungen research group, 47% of the German population — approximately 39 million people — now have no religious affiliation at all. Both Protestants and Roman Catholics combined make up 45% of the German population, about 38 million people.

Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in Germany each reported losing approximately 580,000 members in 2024 alone, marking the fourth time in recent years that the historically dominant churches in the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation have hemorrhaged more than 1 million members in a single year.

During the height of its popularity in the 2000s, many Evangelicals and Catholics alike expressed concern about the occult themes in the Harry Potter series. When he was still a cardinal in 2003, Pope Benedict XVI expressed concern in a private letter that the children's books exhibit "subtle seductions which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly."

Author J.K. Rowling, who has claimed to be Christian but recently acknowledged she may die with a "God-shaped vacuum" in her heart, has claimed her work found inspiration from Christianity by drawing on biblical themes of self-sacrifice and redemption.