An article published recently has highlighted the significance of the beatification Benedict Daswa and the negative effects of witchcraft beliefs on the black population in South Africa. The author argued that belief in witchcraft was hampering the intellectual progress of black people and hampering their development. The author made it clear that the ‘idea that someone can bewitch another person cast a spell on them or turn their fortunes through some supernatural magic is holding back the progress of black people. I quite agree, but is the same narrative not embedded in the catholic faith and in the doctrine of sainthood? Are catholic saints not supposed to have supernatural powers to perform miracles – acts that violate natural laws - in people’s lives? Against Sainthood for Benedict Daswa : Why Replace Sangoma Witchcraft with Catholic Witchcraft?
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