"Pope exhorts Angola to forsake sorcery"


"Benedict urges spread of Christ's message to those living in fear of spirits, of evil powers."


Adapted from Mr. Victor L. Simpson, Associated Press, via The San Antonio EXPRESS - NEWS, Sunday, March 22, 2009.

"LUANDA, Angola -- Tens of thousands lined the capital streets Saturday for a blessing from Pope Benedict XVI, who urged the country's faithful to reach out and convert people who believe in witchcraft.

"[The Pope] said at Mass in the capital, In today's Angola, Catholics should offer the message of Christ to the many who live on the fear of spirits, of evil powers by whom they feel threatened.

"In Africa [as in St. Mary Magdalene's Catholic Parish, Brackettville, Texas!], some church going Catholics also follow traditional animist religions and consult medicine men [aquí, los curanderos] and diviners [like the late Don Francisco Torres of Sabinal, Texas?] who are denounced [in turn] by the church [not to mention likewise by the Catechism of the Catholic Church & the Holy Bible :) ]

"Benedict counseled Catholics to live peacefully with animists and other nonbelievers and urged Angolans to be the new missionaries to bring people who believe in sorcery to Christ."

'Way to go, Holy Father! :)

Too bad our local clergy and Liturgical Committee believe just the opposite!

Whether from a groveling fear of being scorned -- if not outright torched -- or from a so - called "multi - cultural personal conviction" who's to say....?

... They are more than ready to keep their collective mouths shut.