The witchcraft connection of the deadly Ebola virus

Superstition and sickness

Witchcraft is a phenomenon that has been somewhat rehabilitated in recent decades – considered now to be either a harmless amusement involving tales of spells and potions, or, even, a feminist cause, since alleged witches were the object of persecution in certain febrile phases of history.

Arthur Miller’s famous play The Crucible is a powerful invocation of that hysteria stirred up by claims of witchcraft – it was a metaphor, of course, for the victimisation of Communists by the late Senator Joe McCarthy, although certain critics still point out that Communists really did exist, whereas witches were somewhat more elusive.

But are witches and witchcraft quite so imaginary and harmless as they are now made out to be? For it is linked to the breakout of the terrifying Ebola disease now haunting parts of West Africa – Liberia, Sierra Leone and now, apparently, Nigeria. It is a deadly illness which virtually melts a person’s internal organs and is frequently, though not invariably, fatal.

Research into its origins are indicating that it may derive from eating “bush meat” – that is, the carcases of jungle monkeys and chimpanzees, which in some African traditions is considered to contain “magical” qualities.

A malign spell

But some communities blame the Ebola virus on a malign spell cast by witch-doctors; and some of those afflicted seek the powers of the witch-doctor for a cure, rather than reporting to a hospital or clinic (where many heroic medics, notably from Medicins sans Frontieres voluntarily serve). The stories about the dying turning up at hospitals with their children, sometimes too late, are pitiful.

But education has to be a part of combating deadly diseases like Ebola, and part of that education must be about spreading the knowledge that witchcraft is superstition. It is harmful and backward.

Certain similar “piseogs” still existed in Ireland in the early years of the 20th Century – my mother remembered them – about children being “changelings” (parents would reject an infant regarded as a “changeling”, put there by evil spirits).

All the larking about with leprechauns and bog fairies nowadays is just seen as quaint amusement – but it’s not so long ago that superstitions akin to African witchcraft could be so destructive.

The missionaries sought to combat witchcraft in Africa, but its influence is evidently still around, and still malign.

‘Equality’ in the Rose of Tralee

The charming Rose of Tralee Festival starts next week ñ on August 15 ñ and once again it will bring contestants to Co. Kerry from all over the world. Once again, too, there will be complaints that it is ìoutdatedî and even ìsexistî, since young women are chosen for their beauty, charm, and, often, accomplishments.

I imagine that such festivals will come under increasing threat from modern social trends ñ and law: it canít be long before a male contestant, or a transgender person, finds some sharp lawyer to challenge the rules under equality law.

Once ìequalityî is sanctified, every institution which does not conform to its precepts ñ even nature itself ñ will be challenged. After all, beauty, brains, talent and charm are not equally distributed

It would be a pity to see the Rose of Tralee tradition broken up ñ it brings much pleasure, community solidarity, good fun and friendship as well as considerable tourist revenue.

But such values weigh little against the power of equality rights lawyers.

A thank you note

I would like to thank the many kind Irish Catholic readers (a great network) who contacted me with information about Fr Francis Gleeson, who served with the Munster Regiment in the 1914-18 war. Many people gave me much helpful information, including Fr Gleesonís great-nephew, Sean Boyd in Dublin, who remembers how Fr Gleeson would help out the homeless men living rough in the inner city back in the 1950s ñ many of them had been old soldiers who fell on hard times.

Sr Brigid sent me a wonderful book about the Little Flower dinners that Fr Gleeson started ñ St Therese always had a special following among soldiers. And an English writer, Charles Lyte, has written a novel based on the life of Fr Gleeson, A Land of Shades.

Pastoral care

I was introduced to the superb academic research of Niall Cummins, a mature student at TCD, by Richard Burke. Niall has done a ground-breaking dissertation on Francis Gleeson, with a meticulous appendix on the 435 Irish Catholic priests who volunteered to serve in the Great War. They were motivated not by military ambitions but by pastoral care for the wounded and dying, and they deserve to be honourably included in the canons of Irish history.

I spoke on the subject of Irish poets and priests in WWI at Ballymote Heritage Weekend in Co. Sligo, and I thank everyone at Ballymote for such a warm reception ñ a lovely, and historic, part of the country indeed.