A symbol of the Christmas season will no longer be a part of the décor at Guelph’s largest shopping centre.
Stone Road Mall has decided not to display the nativity scene this year.
And the decision has many people in Guelph outraged.
Mall officials did not want to be interviewed. In a statement, they say the nativity scene no longer fits within their decorating strategy and that includes available space.
But many Catholic groups, including a local school board are deeply offended.
Statues of baby Jesus are normally brought out at this time of year.
But Ann Lindsay is storing away a nativity scene in a back room at St. John’s Catholic Church because Stone Road Mall doesn’t want to use it anymore.
“With it being a mall, I feel like they’re focusing more on sales and Christ doesn’t sell for the mall.” Lindsay says of parishioner, St. John’s parish.
The display was donated to the mall about a decade ago by several different churches and the Knights of Columbus.
The recent decision by the mall isn’t wise, according to Wellington Catholic School Board officials. The board has written the mall asking for them to rethink the decision.
“I understand that the economic imperative is an important one but I think that there needs to be a sense of balance.” Don Drone, Director of Education, says.
The mall’s manager did not want to be interviewed by CTV and our video camera was not allowed inside the mall.
In a statement to CTV News the manager says “The decision was made as part of our overall design and decoration strategy which takes into consideration available space and customer experience.
While taking a quick stroll inside the mall, CTV News found not one but two empty spots.
St. John’s Church already has a nativity scene so this one will stay in storage this holiday season.
Several letters have been sent to mall management including one by Cardinal Thomas Collins.
