The view from Ghana: A Big Blow to Campaign Against Witch hunting in Africa

[Warren Stupidity]

Why Vatican Approves Exorcism

The recent approval by Pope Francis of the practice of exorcism has dealt a heavy blow to efforts to combat witch hunting in Africa. At a time the UN and the international community are exploring ways of tackling horrific abuses related to belief in witchcraft, the papal recognition of the association of exorcists comprising 250 priests in 30 countries is a huge set back. It dims the prospects of making witch-hunting history in Africa. In fact, Vatican’s approval of exorcism will end up legitimizing this abusive process.

Millions of Africans are catholic and look to the Vatican for guidance in the practice of their faith. So the decision by the pope to recognise exorcism sends very disturbing signals. Many Africans will interpret this development to mean an endorsement of witch hunting because witch hunting is believed to be a form of exorcism.

Witchcraft is part of the demonological narratives in Africa. And most African catholics claim that witchcraft is a form of evil spirit that can be expelled by priests or pastors

http://www.spyghana.com/vatican-approves-exorcism/

[edhopper]

1. But what's the harm in not countering idiotic superstition

as long as it doesn't hurt anybody.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Plus there is that "placebo effect".

[skepticscott]

5. It doesn't hurt anyone in certain tribes

which is all that matters to them, and their agenda. Other people who might be hurt or killed are outside of the bubble, so they can go die. Or buy their rubbers at 7-11.

[Turbineguy]

3. Ignorance is rapidly

becoming more fashionable all over the world. The repubs and the RW Hate machine seem to be on to something.

[Fred Sanders]

4. Not to approve of exorcisms would have lost the Papacy many worshipers, it is just good business.

The whole world is still tribal.

[rug]

6. Leo's been pushing this witchcraft angle for some time.

Leo Igwe (born July 26, 1970) is a Nigerian human rights advocate and humanist. Igwe is a former Western and Southern African representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, and has specialized in campaigning against and documenting the impacts of child witchcraft accusations. He is currently performing research on the topic as a PhD candidate at the Bayreuth International School of African Studies at the University of Bayreuth in Germany, having earned a graduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. Igwe's human rights advocacy has brought him into conflict with high-profile witchcraft believers, such as Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, because of his criticism of what he describes as their role in the violence and child abandonment that sometimes result from accusations of witchcraft. His human rights fieldwork has led to his arrest on several occasions in Nigeria. Igwe has held leadership roles in the Nigerian Humanist Movement, Atheist Alliance International, and the Center For Inquiry—Nigeria. In 2012, Igwe was appointed as a Research Fellow of the James Randi Educational Foundation, where he continues working toward the goal of responding to what he sees as the deleterious effects of superstition, advancing skepticism throughout Africa and around the world. In 2014, Igwe was chosen as a laureate of the International Academy of Humanism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Igwe

Why Vatican Approves Exorcism

-A Big Blow to Campaign Against Witch hunting in Africa

By Leo Igwe

The recent approval by Pope Francis of the practice of exorcism has dealt a heavy blow to efforts to combat witch hunting in Africa. At a time the UN and the international community are exploring ways of tackling horrific abuses related to belief in witchcraft, the papal recognition of the association of exorcists comprising 250 priests in 30 countries is a huge set back. It dims the prospects of making witch-hunting history in Africa. In fact, Vatican’s approval of exorcism will end up legitimizing this abusive process.

Maybe if he were more objective he'd get his facts straight.

Francis did not "recently" approve "practice of exorcism".

It has nothing to do with witchcraft or "witch hunting".

85% of Africa is not Catholic.

Et cetera.

There's enough ignorance on the subject as it is. Peddling this only adds to it.