AFRICA/GABON - "Take part in the march against mass ritual killings" urges the Archbishop of Libreville

Libreville (Agenzia Fides) - "Take part in the march en masse in an atmosphere of fervent prayer, as an expression of our indignation and our condemnation of these shameful and vile crimes." This is the invitation addressed "to the people of God," by Mgr. Basile Mve Engone, Archbishop of Libreville (capital of Gabon) to participate in the procession against ritual crimes, held today, May 11. The initiative was organized throughout the Country by the Conference of Bishops of Gabon (see Fides 07/05/2013), because, Bishop Engone’s message says, "despite the complaints and the different stances, the phenomenon does nothing but increase, exacerbating the security of all. "
Rituals crimes include human sacrifice (often victims are children) in order to obtain alleged economic, social benefits.
"Lives are destroyed by a cruel and extreme violence, under the guise of to ensure instigators success and power. The severity and recurrence of this sad phenomenon and the lack of results of investigations tarnish the image of our Country," said the Archbishop. "A prolonged silence can only become an accomplice and guilty. This is why any initiative aimed to break the silence is to be sustained at a human and Christian level." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/05/2013)