Church worried about sorcery accusations

PORT MORESBY – The Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea says it fears for the safety of at least 50 people who are facing accusations of witchcraft or sorcery.

One of the missionaries for the church, Anton Lutz, says in one instance, 17 women and children from the west of Enga province are accused of being witches.

Lutz says an intervention is planned this weekend and he is hopeful the person or people responsible will agree to retract their accusations. But he says the church has a list of many more people who are also in danger.

“Generally with these kinds of situations, once an accusation is made no-one is killed immediately but if there is a future death or unexplained illness – then they would be the first to be targeted and could be killed. So the next kid who has malaria – that could be a death sentence for one of these people.”

Lutz says there needs to be a unified approach from Government, churches and NGOs.