For this anime, it was hard to pin anything down. Not because there aren't things in it, but because neither IMDb nor Common Sense Media have anything written about its contents. I had watched this show soon after it was released (yes, I used to watch anime) so most of what I say is based upon my memory, but I tried to find sources for accuracy.
Ecumenical Christianity
This show has many crosses throughout. Lawrence (the pastor) and Cecilia (the saint) run the church right outside their town. Due to the usage of "pastor" and "saint," the crosses, and the church looking like the average old-time Baptist church, many have claimed the anime as a "Christian anime."
The term "pastor" is mostly associated with non-denominational and Baptist groups while calling someone a "saint" (in an unbiblical sense) tends to be Catholic and Orthodox. Additionally, the way the "church" in this world is, it is somewhat of an ecclesiastical hierarchy vaguely resembling the Catholic Church. As such, there isn't really a set "this is the denomination it represents." This mingling of Christian denominations into one is not from God.
As the Holy Ghost, through Paul, commands:
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Romans 16:17)
Ecumenicism is not biblical, and should not be supported. This is false doctrine in a "Christian" anime!
Pastoral Qualifications
The pastor, Lawrence, is not fit for the qualification given for that office of the church. Here are the qualifications:
"[1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. [2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; [3] Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; [4] One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; [5] (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) [6] Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. [7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
We see the requirements "husband of one wife" and "having his children in subjection". May I ask how a single man, with neither spouse nor child, like Lawrence, fits these qualifications? He doesn't!
People say, "That just means he can't have multiple wives." But the passage starts by saying "A bishop then must" and lists those qualifications a bishop must fit. Secondly, the passage says "the husband of one wife". You are neither a husband nor have one wife if you're unmarried. If you "must" be a "husband of one wife" but aren't, you do not qualify.
2< wives ≠ 1 wife
0 wives ≠ 1 wife
0 wives ≠ 1 wife
1 wife = 1 wife
Additionally, it is not a great feat for a man to keep his non-existent children in subjection. It says that if he doesn't know how to keep his own kids in submission that he cannot care for the church of God properly! "Pastor" Lawrence is violating the holy office of the man of God.
Immodest Attire
Despite being a pastor and saint, the clothing they wear at the church is most improper. For example, Cecilia's dress barely reaches to mid-thigh. Obviously, this is not modest."In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (1 Timothy 2:9)
Ironically, when she isn't in her clerical clothing, she wears dresses which are actually longer. She is more modest outside the church than inside!
This may cause some controversy, but pastor Lawrence and his friend Abel both often wear clerical robes. The problem is, they're basically dresses. The Bible teaches that a man is not to wear female clothing, and dresses are female clothing.
"¶ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." (Deuteronomy 22:5)
There is more. For example, there is a fortune teller named Mel (more about this later) whose dress has slits going from the hem up to her waist.¹ It's immodest. Additionally, Mel and (sometimes) Cecilia have braided hair. If you reread 1 Timothy 2:9, you'll see the word "broided." This word is an old spelling of the word "braided." As such, Paul lists braided hair as an example of immodesty.
Cohabitation
Lawrence and Cecilia live in the same house. While there isn't any inappropriate relations taking place, they are not married and should not be living together.
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Alcohol
On top of this, Lawrence drinks alcohol in episode eight.² The Bible, despite what many Christians today think, does not teach drinking is alright.
"[8] ¶ And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, [9] Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: [10] And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;" (Leviticus 10:8-10)
I understand these verses are about the priests, but it's that last part at the end, "put difference between holy and unholy", that needs noticing. Alcohol was not to be drunk by the priests because it was considered "unholy"! Thus, it only makes sense that it would be wrong for us to drink as well.
Spirit Communion and Fortune Telling
The character, Mel, is a fortune teller. She tells the fortunes of Lawrence, Abel, and Cecilia. The Bible explicitly forbids fortune-telling.
"[10] There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, [11] Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
Here, the Bible uses the phrase "observer of times". This refers to the one who tells of times yet to come (i.e., a fortune teller). It is wickedness! If that wasn't enough, Cecilia talks to these glowing orbs that are called "angels." She also talks to fairies at a lake. As mentioned in the verses above, one who has contact with familiar spirits is sinning and is not to be allowed by God's Law.
Conclusion
This show, while at first glance seems innocent and "Christian," contains heresy and is nothing Christian—a cross or two doesn't change this. We should burn this anime at the stake of our watch lists.Sources:
1. Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence Wiki. saint-cecilia-and-pastor-lawrence.fandom.com. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
2. "Shiro Seijo to Kuro Bokushi (Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence) ages????." Reddit, reddit.com/r/manga/comments/14ytgo5/comment/jzxsi8w. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.