Exorcism: How Pope and Catholic Church Mislead Faithful and Fuel Witch-Hunting in Africa -By Leo Igwe

While the catholic church has spoken out against witchcraft accusations and persecution in Africa, this religious institution maintains a conflicted position that undermines efforts to combat the phenomenon. By virtue of its position and proposition on exorcism, the church is an enabler of witch-hunting. And here are the reasons. The church recognizes and approves exorcism, that is the expulsion of demons or evil spirits. The church has priests who officially operate as exorcists. The Catholic church also recognizes the International Association of exorcists. From September 15 to 20, the association convened in Rome, and Pope Leo XIV sent a message. In the message, which Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin signed, the pope expressed appreciation to the priests who engage in the ‘delicate and necessary ministry of the exorcist’. Look, the pope acknowledged that the work of exorcists as a ‘necessary’ ministry. Really?

He asked them to work as a “ministry of liberation and consolation”. Liberation of what and from what? Liberation of what from who? If I may ask. Still on the message. The pope asked the priests to provide this spiritual support to the faithful. He stated, “Support the faithful truly possessed by the evil one with prayer and the invocation of Christ’s effective presence, so that through the sacramental of exorcism the Lord may grant victory over Satan.” . Support the faithful truly possessed? So the pope believes that the devil possesses people. The pope believes that the evil one can be expelled. Belief in demonic possession has grave implications for witch hunts in Africa.

Pope Leo XIV’s message is a tacit endorsement of witch hunting. A witch hunt is a form of exorcism. Witchcraft is a form of devil craft. Demon hunting is a form of witch hunt. Millions of Africans are catholic. In Africa, witch hunters, like Helen Ukpabio, see their ministry as a deliverance service, as a ministry for the liberation of the faithful possessed by the witchcraft spirit. Like exorcists and as exorcists, witch hunters claim to provide spiritual support and service to the people.

Witch hunters believe that they are battling principalities and powers, ‘agents of darkness’, and of course, Satan. The catholic position is confusing and misleading. The church legitimizes witch hunts. The pope’s message hurts the campaign and initiative to end witchcraft related abuses. It makes the church a liability, not an asset, an enabler, not a disabler of the problem.

In matters of faith, the church’s position has weight. The pope has a lot of power and influence. Millions of the faithful in Africa look up to the pope for guidance and direction. The church should review its position on exorcism. It should abolish the sacramental of exorcism. The church should abandon its contradictory propositions on witch hunts. The pope should properly guide the catholic faithful in Africa and help end abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and exorcism.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches