Dutch priest celebrates Harry Potter mass

A Dutch priest has celebrated a Harry Potter mass for children.

He donned a wizard's hat and asked the youngsters to come dressed as Harry.

Pastor Joris Ridderbos says there are a lot of similarities between the story of Harry Potter and the life of Jesus.

Potter books have been denounced and even burned by some Christian clergymen, who claim they promote witchcraft.

The priest from Haren, however, told the Haagse Courant newspaper: "The story of Harry Potter starts with an alternative reading of the story of the three kings, there is a speaking snake and, like Jesus, Harry Potter was a very obedient boy.

"But the most important link between the two stories is that no victory is achieved without an effort.

"As a result from his first meeting with evil, Harry Potter is bearing a mark. And I want to emphasise to the children that every victory has a price."

The pastor has denied only holding the event to make the church more popular.

He added: "I see the Harry Potter story as a new story that can make the old Bible story much more comprehensible."