Sorcery in Papua New Guinea: A Missiological and Pastoral Challenge

Thomas Mooren

Sorcery in Papua New Guinea

A Missiological and Pastoral Challenge

Authors

Thomas Mooren

Keywords:

Sorcery, Papua New Guinea, Melanesian Culture, Missiology

Abstract

This article is a free rendering of a chapter of my book Encounter of Religions: Faith and no–Faith in a Global World (Wenn Religionen sich begegnen. Glauben und anders glauben in einer globalen Welt [Wien, Berlin: Lit Verlag, 2014], 41-53). Therein one can also find the scientific apparatus. Here, I present an account of cases of sorcery in Papua New Guinea as well as instances when Christians’ views about or responses to sorcery were documented and analyzed.

Author Biography

Thomas Mooren

Born in Germany, Dr. Theol. Thomas Mooren, OFMCap, dipl. EPHE (History of Religions), ELOA (Oriental Languages) and EA (Anthropology [Sorbonne]), until 2016 Professor at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada; former Director of Mission studies and interreligious dialogue, invited professor in Indonesia, India, Germany, Washington and Rome. He is now working in PNG and the Philippines (Maryhill School of Theology, Quezon City; DWIMS, Tagaytay). Among his numerous publications are: Purusha. Trading the Razor’s Edge Towards Selfhood (Delhi, 1997; on Islamic and Hindu Mysticism), The Buddha’s Path to Freedom (MST, 2004; Introduction into Buddhism) and Missiologie im Gegenwind (Wien, Berlin, 2012; on Interreligious Dialogue).

Sorcery in Papua New Guinea: A Missiological and Pastoral Challenge