Spirit of Africa: The Healing Ministry of Archbishop Milingo of Zambia [Paperback]

Gerrie Ter Haar (Author), Gerrie Ter Haar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1992

Only after his appointment as RC Archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia, in 1969 did Emmanuel Milingo become aware of his healing powers. Members of his congregation suffering from sickness or misfortune believed they had been possessed by evil spirits, and that Milingo was able to provide healing. Milingo, an orthodox Catholic, "plunged into darkness" with his parishioners. He called on the Holy Spirit of Christian faith to liberate thousands of Zambians from the evil spirits which they considered to be the source of their suffering. He also made outspoken attacks on corruption in Zambian public life and other forms of misgovernment, which he equally saw as symptoms of evil. Under the influence of the Charismatic Renewal movement in the West, Milingo came to believe that spiritual forces are present not only in Africa but all over the world. But the West, he believes, has lost its ability to communicate with the spirit world and thereby the ability to combat evil. He sees it as his mission to persuade the Catholic Church to re-learn this skill from Africa. In 1982 Milingo was removed from Lusaka by order of the Vatican, and since then has lived and worked in Rome. Under the personal protection of the Pope, he continues to heal hundreds of sick and troubled people every week in Italy - having been forbidden to do so in Zambia. This book, based on research in Africa and Europe, provides the facts about Milingo's life and work, discusses his thought and his actions, and explains how he was forced to leave the country. It also describes and analyzes the conflict surrounding his healing ministry.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

After being appointed Archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia, Milingo discovered that he had healing powers which enabled him to cast out evil spirits. The Vatican responded by removing him from Lusaka, but Milingo today continues his healing work in Rome. This book provides a carefully researched consideration of history and public perceptions of the affair (in Zambian as well as Western media), a philosophic investigation of Zambian belief in spirit possession, and a discussion of Milingo's being "free to do in the West what he was not free to do in Africa." Those interested in the Milingo affair, spirit possession, or Vatican politics will find this book thorough. Recommended for large academic libraries.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Africa World Pr (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865432694
• ISBN-13: 978-0865432697
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,895,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Church, the State and the Struggle for Modernity, August 28, 2001

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Ms H Grant (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirit of Africa: The Healing Ministry of Archbishop Milingo of Zambia (Paperback)

This book is an account of Archbishop Milingo, a faith healer who was expelled from Zambia and who now works in Vatican City. The author, a Religious Studies Lecturer, lets the whole story unfold within the social and political context of a country ruled by President Kenneth Kaunda, comparing the two men, who had each reached positions of power through charisma. The author's basic premise is that Kaunda, although personally believing in Milingo's powers, felt he had to distance himself from the Archbishop in order to fulfil the role of a "modern" state leader. Ter Haar suggests that Kaunda equated political modernity with secularity. She suggests that Kaunda considered religion, healing and witchcraft to be antithetic to modern statecraft and national progress. Finally, Ter Haar asserts that, despite this attempt at western-style progress, divorcing the church from religion, African states are still fundamentally religious. She also clearly believes the Milingo's "miracles" really work.