Two Priests Put on “Involuntary Sabbaticals” for Practicing Witchcraft
In Synodal parishes hoodoo voodoo is apparently not such a big deal.
A report from Independent Online (IOL) on March 8 has once again exposed a crisis that keeps on rearing its ugly head in many parts of Africa and which I have lamented here before. The problem should not be confused with so-called liturgical experimentation or cultural adaptation but should be seen for what it is: the infiltration of pagan religious practices into what claims to be Catholic life.
The Sunday Tribune reports that in the Archdiocese of Durban, two priests have been removed from their parishes after controversy over their involvement in traditional African healing practices. As the article states on IOL, “both Fr Ngcobo and Fr Ndlovu practise traditional healing, and some of the parish members believe their sabbatical results from victimization and punishment for their continued syncretism”. (These parish members are so poorly catechized, that they take the side of the priests. In synodal parishes, hoodoo voodoo is just fine. – Ed)
This case highlights the very real danger of what is euphemistically called syncretism. In simple terms, syncretism is the blending of Catholicism with pagan religion. The article itself describes it as “the blending of African cultural practices with Christian worship”. But my non-African readers should understand that this is not merely a cultural mixture, but a direct violation of the First Commandment.
In many parts of southern Africa, what is described as “traditional healing” is not simply herbal medicine or folk remedies. It is a system rooted in spirit communication, divination, and ritual practices directed toward ancestral spirits. In Catholic moral theology these practices fall under the category of superstition and witchcraft.
The IOL report admits that the priests in question are involved in these practices, stating that they “practise traditional healing”. Needless to say this is hardly compatible with the Catholic priesthood, but then again these are synodal priests so I guess it is perfectly acceptable.
Traditional healing often involves the following practices:
Divination (Ubungoma)
Diviners claim to receive supernatural knowledge from spirits. Bones or shells are thrown on the ground and interpreted to determine the cause of illness, misfortune, or family problems. This is a classic form of divination, which Sacred Scripture condemns.
Communication with Ancestors
Many practitioners invoke ancestral spirits to seek guidance or protection. Ritual offerings may be made, and the living ask deceased relatives for assistance in worldly matters. The article itself refers to controversy over “the participation of some Catholic faithful in ancestral rituals and the consultation of traditional healers”.
From a Catholic perspective, seeking supernatural guidance from the dead is forbidden. The Catholic Church teaches that attempting to communicate with spirits exposes a person to demonic deception.
Spirit Possession and Mediumship
Some healers enter trance states in which they claim to be guided or possessed by ancestral spirits. These altered states are treated as a sign of spiritual authority. Historically the Church has recognized such practices as forms of mediumship.
Ritual Medicines and Charms
So called healing often includes the preparation of muti, ritual medicines intended to bring protection, luck, or healing. These are frequently accompanied by prayers or invocations directed toward spirits rather than toward God.
These practices go far beyond cultural expression and constitute a religious system that operates alongside Catholicism while contradicting it.
Interestingly, even the modernist Synodal hierarchy in Durban sort-of-recognized that the situation had gone too far. According to the report, in September 2025 the local bishops issued a pastoral letter “condemning the participation of some Catholic faithful in ancestral rituals and the consultation of traditional healers”.
The article also quotes Archbishop Mandla Jwara warning that a priest “cannot serve two masters”. On this point the archbishop unintentionally echoes the words of Our Lord Himself.
But any hope we might have had for this “bishop” is quickly extinguished as the same report states that the archbishop later “clarified” that the church was “not against ancestral veneration”.
What on God’s beautiful earth is wrong with these synodal prelates?!
Traditional Catholic doctrine condemns divination, spiritism, and attempts to obtain hidden knowledge through spirits. The Book of Deuteronomy forbids “diviners, soothsayers, and those who consult the dead.” The Church Fathers consistently taught that such practices open the door to demonic influence.
When a priest claims to practice traditional healing while offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, he is committing grave acts of blasphemy and sacrilege. The priesthood is meant to mediate the grace of Christ through the sacraments. A diviner claims to mediate knowledge or power from spirits. But I guess synodalists will do what synodalists do.
Unfortunately, the Durban controversy is not an isolated case. Similar ideas have been promoted by other church leaders in southern Africa under the banner of “inculturation.”
Among those who have advocated such policies is Sithembele Sipuka. Before becoming “Archbishop” of Bloemfontein, Sipuka served as “Bishop” of Mthatha and publicly supported the incorporation of certain African traditional elements into Catholic life and worship. Note that he was elevated to Archbishop by Leo XIV after he made these calls.
The concept of inculturation is often presented as a way of making Catholicism more “African.” In practice, however, it frequently becomes a vehicle for introducing elements drawn from traditional religion into Catholic practice. In the African context this can include the symbolic honoring of ancestors, ritual gestures taken from indigenous religion, and attempts to reinterpret traditional spiritual beliefs within the framework of Christian worship.
In conclusion. These priests should have been suspended and laicized and the practice should have been denounced in the strongest terms possible. Instead, they are put on “sabbatical”, and the pagan practice is downplayed to “acceptable”. The same goes for Sipuka, he literally called for the inculturation of pagan elements into Catholic liturgy, but again, instead of being disciplined, Prevost have promoted him to the position of Archbishop.
Welcome to the Synodal Religion, African style.
Our Lady, Co-redemptrix, pray for us…
Our Lady, Mediatrix of all Graces, pray for us…
Viva Christo Rey!
Also Read:
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Synodal Church but Were Too Afraid to Ask
Final Synodal Report Announces Next Phase in Eradicating the Priesthood
Once decided that all paths lead to God and no souls go to hell then the NO Church has no choice but to allow these practices. The only path that is condemned by the NO Church is Traditional Catholicism (and the consecration of Traditional Bishops)This is the logical conclusion of all that went before in Conciliar La-La land. By their “logic” nothing can be condemned because all is allowed.
An eye-opener article on Novus Ordo Watch: Voodoo You Trust?