Pastor does not see Halloween party in church as a disaster

A Halloween party is scheduled to take place in the Laurenskerk in Rotterdam, which will be used for a worship service the following day. Robbert-Jan van de Werken, spokesperson for Protestants Nederland, is not in favor of the event. In contrast, Pastor Joas van der Schoot has fewer objections, stating, 'Halloween is not a celebration of death.'

Van de Werken has a strong connection to the historic church, having regularly attended it while living in Rotterdam until January of this year. He views the 15th-century house of worship as a place of faith, hope, and love. The church was heavily damaged during the war but was almost entirely rebuilt afterward.