In fresh years we have seen a phenomenon that has caused many controversy in Catholic environments – the burning of judaic Hanukkah in public places, specified as churches or parliaments. In Poland, an example of specified an event is the yearly ceremony of lighting Khanuk candles in the building of the Polish Parliament, organized by the judaic sect Chabad Lubavich. Archbishop John Paul Lenga clearly expressed his position on the matter, criticising the practice he considers to be contrary to the principles of Catholic faith.
Criticism of Chanukii Lighting in Churches
Archbishop Lenga pointed out that menors and Khanukia were never lit in the past of the Catholic Church. He stresses that specified practices are now becoming ‘modern’, but have nothing to do with Christian tradition. "It has become fashionable today, especially as the Chanukije propose not real Jews who admit the Torah (...), but Talmudists," he said.
Hierarch indicated that according to Catholic teaching, the 10 commandments of God should be a moral foundation, but “the Talmudic Jews are not bound by either the Torah or the 10 Commandments.” In the opinion of Archbishop Lenga, the burning of Khanu candles in churches is the consequence of confusion between traditions and “trying to spend your own desires for reality”.
Hanukkah in the Polish Parliament
The criticism of the hierarch besides refers to the celebration of the Khanuki in the Polish parliament. This year, December 30, 2024, in the Polish Parliament, Khanuk candles will ignite again at the invitation of Chabad Lubavich sect. Archbishop Lenga pointed out that Poland, as a country with a Catholic tradition, should not celebrate holidays having its roots in judaic religion.
“If the Members of the Sejm are Catholic and the Catholic State, what does Hanukkah and Chanukija have, or Menor in churches, what does it gotta do with what the Jews had in the Old Testament?” the clergyman asked. He besides pointed out that specified practices could be seen as politicizing spiritual symbols and leaving the principles of Catholic faith.
Warning Against Syncretism
Archbishop Lenga warned against the “trend” of the joint “celebration” of the Khanuk with the Jews in Catholic sacral objects. As he noted, in 2024 the Khanka coincides with Christmas, which further exacerbates specified practices. "Today all of this returns to the Catholic Church under the pretext of "Yes, we menora, as in the Bible," he pointed out.
The clergyman expressed concerns that submission to specified practices could be the consequence of fear of losing political and social influence. “They have power and have money. That's why all these another bishops, cardinals, senators, are afraid of this due to the fact that they want to live close the trough and want to service all the masters," he said.
Catholic Appeal
Archbishop Lenga appealed to Catholics not to accept symbols and rites that had nothing to do with Christian faith. "In the monstrancy stands the Lord Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and the Menor of His Enlightenment—that is abnormal," concluded the hierarch.
The clergyman recalled that Catholics already have their Messiah and should not succumb to the force of celebrating old Testament rites. Instead, he encouraged the strengthening of the Christian religion and the preaching of the teaching of Jesus Christ.
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Archbishop John Paul Lenga: Inflamed by pagan Catholics Hanukkah is immoral
