AACHEN, Germany (CNS) Missio, one of Germany s Pontifical Mission Societies, marked the third World Day Against Witch Hunts Aug. 10 by warning that the phenomenon is on the increase worldwide.
The German Catholic news agency KNA said that in at least 43 countries, women, but also men and children, are in mortal danger because they are being persecuted as alleged witches, according to the 2022 World Map of Witch Hunts published by missio Aachen.
Missio said it had added Sierra Leone and Zimb
Experts have found women, men and children in some 43 countries face mortal danger from persecution as alleged witches, with fear and lack of education contributing to the alarming trend.
Violence related to sorcery accusations is an increasing problem in Papua New Guinea.
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WARNING: This story contains graphic content that some readers may find upsetting.
When a young boy died suddenly in Tatape Village in Papua New Guinea s (PNG) highlands, his relatives said dark forces were at work.
Four women were accused of using sanguma - a local term for sorcery or witchcraft - to kill the child.
Sergeant Daniel Olabe from the Hela Police Command alleges the boy s father and others led their tribesmen to where the women were selling baked flour in a local market. Eventually they got one of the ladies… and tortured her, he said.