A priest has issued a public apology after destroying a collection of Halloween pumpkins that were carved by local children.
Father Jaromir Smejkal was the individual behind the destruction of these pumpkins in the park on two consecutive days, BBC News reports. His remorse was evident in an open letter he addressed to the mayor, which was subsequently shared on the village's official Facebook page.
The incident took place in the South Moravian village of Kurdejov, in the Czech Republic - and the priest's actions have caused quite a stir within the local community.
In his statement, Father Smejkal said: "Leaving the rectory on Sunday evening, I saw numerous symbols of the satanic feast of 'Halloween' placed in front of our sacred grounds." For the priest, his actions were a reflection of his religious beliefs and a desire to shield the youth. He emphasized: "I acted according to my faith and duty to be a father and protector of the children entrusted to me and removed these symbols."
The priest, who serves at the Roman Catholic Church of St John the Baptist, expressed his belief that the contemporary celebration of Halloween is rooted in a "heathen, contemporary world", presenting a stark contrast to the Catholic observance of All Souls' Day.
However, what Father Smejkal was unaware of was the fact that these pumpkins were carved by village children as a part of their Halloween festivities.
The news, first reported by the Breclavsky Denik newspaper, revealed that many of the children were left in tears upon discovering their destroyed creations. Adding salt to the wound, even after new pumpkins were placed in the park, they were found crushed and scattered the very next day.
While his actions were based on his religious and moral convictions, Father Smejkal admitted that harming anyone, especially children, was never his intent. He said: "But try to remember that my duty as a figure of authority and a priest is to protect children and families from hidden evil."
Despite the Czech Republic's reputation as one of the least religious countries globally, traditional feasts such as All Souls' Day remain significant. They are celebrated by both believers and atheists. However, there's a growing sentiment among some Czechs who believe that their cultural and religious traditions are slowly being overshadowed by Western commercial influences, with Halloween frequently cited as a prominent example.
