Vicar defends church Santa ban

A vicar today defended his decision to ban Father Christmas from his church services.

The Rev Tim Storey asked Henry Cuff to remove his Santa costume at a civic carol service in St Peter and St Paul's Church in Blandford, Dorset, on December 2.

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Mr Cuff refused and left, followed by members of the Blandford Lions Club in Dorset.

In a website statement, Mr Storey, the Rector of Blandford Forum and Langton Long, said he was reclaiming Christmas.

His statement said: "When it comes to Christmas, my job is to proclaim (or maybe reclaim) the Christian story of the birth of Jesus Christ as being the heart of the celebration, in the midst of a secular, materialistic celebration which has lost the meaning on which it has stood for the best part of 2,000 years."

He added: "In practical terms, this means that I do not believe that Father Christmas should be a part of church services any more than Santa's grotto should have a manger and a baby Jesus present.

"Keeping the two distinct is important for both."

His decision has sparked controversy in the village but has been defended by other church ministers.