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Halloween is a time of year that causes some Christians much anxiety, as it is a day when many occult traditions are praised and uplifted in mainstream culture.
Some parents are especially concerned with the type of costume their child wears, for example, choosing to ban any witch or wizard costumes.
Does the Catholic Church have any opinion regarding such a situation?
Sinister side of witches
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear that actively dabbling in witchcraft is sinful:
All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others – even if this were for the sake of restoring their health – are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. (CCC 2117)
This paragraph is primarily geared at those who intentionally recite spells or invocations that often involve the reliance on demonic powers.
What about costumes?
Strictly speaking, there is no prohibition on dressing up as a witch. It’s also important to distinguish which type of witch or wizard is being represented.
The majority of costumes in modern culture refer to characters in fantasy films or novels, where there is a different, internal story that does not involve occult witchcraft. It is something that is made-up and not related to real-life witches and wizards.
Also, there is a difference between dressing up as something, and actively engaging in the act that the costume represents. Most kids dress up in a similar way to an actor dressing up for a role in a play. They are not internalizing the character, and only putting on an exterior facade.
Nevertheless, it is up to each parent to discern whether or not the costume glorifies occult powers, or is something that is generally harmless.
