SIERRA LEONE: Occultists Pressure Pastors and Churches

A secret society of women harass a church.

Secret occult societies in Sierra Leone regularly threaten pastors and churches. The societies are groups that practice occult rituals, including bodily mutilation and allegedly even the ritualistic killing of humans to appease spirits. The groups have been known to surround churches with hundreds of people to harass and intimidate Christians and stop their worship services.

“We came for fellowship, and we were attacked right at the church,” said Pastor Joshua Ramine. “They shouted while we were singing, but I said, ‘No, let’s continue singing.’ They shouted away. ... It was so noisy. Even all night they will go and disturb.”

Christians in Sierra Leone request prayer for strength to stand firm in the face of such threats and that the Lord will soften the hearts of society members so that they will be saved from darkness.