Monday, November 9, 1998 Published at 11:41 GMT
Winterval gets frosty reception
Birmingham: Multi-racial community
Church leaders have clashed with a council over its decision to call Christmas festivities Winterval.
The change is being made because city council officials hope to create a more multi-cultural atmosphere in keeping with the city's mix of ethnic groups.
Winterval has particularly exasperated the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev Mark Santer.
"I confess I laughed out loud when our city council came out with Winterval as a way of not talking about Christmas.
"No doubt it was a well-meaning attempt not to offend, not to exclude, not to say anything at all."
The message continues: "Now it seems, the secular world, which expresses respect for all, is actually embarrassed by faith. Or perhaps it is Christianity which is censored."
His views were shared by his colleague, the Archdeacon of Aston, the Ven John Barton.
"It is a totally unnecessary example of political correctness to avoid sensitivities people simply do not have," he said.
A council spokeswoman defended the name. "Birmingham City Council wants people to celebrate Christmas. Christmas is the very heart of Winterval," she said.
"Far from not talking about Christmas the events within Winterval and the publicity material for it are covered in Christmas greetings and traditional images, including angels and carol singers."
She said the council had drawn attention to the city's cathedral during the festival by placing Christmas lights in the trees around the building.