In an email obtained by The Tennessean, the Rev. Dan Reehil, a pastor at St. Edward Catholic School in Nashville, wrote to parents and said, "These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception."
The seven-book series, which depicts the magical adventures of a young wizard and his friends, was published by J.K. Rowling from 1997 to 2007 and has been adapted into a successful movie franchise.
Reehil wrote, "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," The Tennessean reported.
Reehil also wrote that he consulted several exorcists in the United States and Rome, who recommended removing the books from the school's library.
Rebecca Hammel, the Catholic Diocese of Nashville superintendent, said Reehil has the final say at his school, WZTV reported.
"Each pastor has canonical authority to make such decisions for his parish school," Hammel told The Tennessean. "He's well within his authority to act in that manner."
About the Author