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Child Witches: How You Can Help

May 22, 2009 6:12 PM

Abc_church_ceremony_090518_main Dan Harris' story airing tonight on World News highlights the cruelty and violence directed at young children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Tens of thousands of children are being tortured and executed because they are accused of witchcraft in the name of Jesus Christ.  These victims are suffering at the hands of a new breed of pastors who profit by telling parents that the source of their money and health problems is their children.

We have compiled a list of resources for those of you who wish to reach out and help these children.  Click here for the full list.

May 22, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (77)

User Comments

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I am appalled at the actions of these so-called pastors! One said he doesnt do it for the money but if in fact an innocent child could ever be a witch, a man of God would to the exorcism free of charge! If I could afford to take all of those children I would do so.

Posted by: Paula | May 22, 2009 6:55:35 PM

Just watched a quick clip on the 6:30 news. There IS NO picture of Jesus Christ!
But glad you are govering the attrocities that are done in HIS name.

Posted by: Ann Baron | May 22, 2009 6:57:32 PM

I am DISGUSTED and OUTRAGED at ABC news. You are biased and horribly discriminatory of Christians. You took a story about children in the Congo and misrepresented it. You accused CHRISTIANS of hurting children. What proof do you have that this so called pastor is a Christian? Can you back that claim up? No you cannot. Just because someone wears a symbol of Jesus Christ on his robe does not make him a Christian. Want to do a story on what REAL Christians are doing in the world? How about the team of college students that just went to the mountain villages of rural Honduras to take in beans, rice, soap, toothbrushes & toothpaste. You call yourselves an unbiased news source, you are WRONG.

Posted by: Elizabeth Alston | May 22, 2009 6:58:12 PM

Why do you call this man a "Christian Pastor"? He is not a Christian and he is not a Pastor. Christian means Christ like. Christ said "Suffer the little children to come unto me" and "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Pastor is someone who takes care of their sheep. This man only brings harm. Report what Church(and I use that loosely) he preaches at, or report his denomination. It is offensive to call him a Christian. The only spirit that leads him is an evil spirit, the spirit of the DEVIL! Thank you for your time.

Posted by: Melissa Comeaux | May 22, 2009 7:00:28 PM

Pray for these children

Posted by: Anthony | May 22, 2009 7:00:37 PM

This is absolutely cruel and sickening. If a religon involves killing innocent children and abusing them it's not a religon of God. I hope those scammers pay.

Posted by: Julianna | May 22, 2009 7:00:43 PM

In your commentary on the children accused of being witches in the Congo you immediately started the story declaring that these atrocities were being committed by "Christian Ministers'.
How can ABC news label these con artists "Christian Minsters"? Why does the liberal press go to extremes to distance Al Qaeda from Islam, but immediately slap the label "Christian" on something that, by it's own actions, is the very opposite of what true Christianity espouses?
Christaphobia can be the only answer.

Posted by: Paul | May 22, 2009 7:02:20 PM

In this day and age to think this can go on. Why are we showing this horrible situration if no one can step in and stop it?
It is one thing to see it but it seems no one does anything to prevent it. If you go to the where you can see where to help, the page is unavailable.

What is our United Nations doing to prevent this?

Posted by: Ann | May 22, 2009 7:02:47 PM

How sad. How horrendous.
Thank you for this special report. Exposing these "wicked" child abusers is an important step in stopping their crimes and saving these children. I plan on contacting the chartiable organizations you list here.

Posted by: Debbie | May 22, 2009 7:04:29 PM

how are u outraged at abc news?? they are simply trying to the word out and help these children!! and yes they are not Christians doing this they are horrible people! and that was cleary stated in the broadcast!!! and yes the pastor was wearing a photo of Jesus Christ on his sleeve!? wow! they are tryinhg to help these poor children and get the word out but you want to turn it into a negative story on Christians elizabeth? ok! re watch the broadcast!

Posted by: aaa | May 22, 2009 7:04:47 PM

I am a Registered Nurse. I have seen it all but this absolute abuse of children is untolertable!!!!!!
If I had the finances to go there and take care of this I would. Unfortunately,I do not. President Obama
how in the world could you let this occur?

Posted by: Susan Truehart | May 22, 2009 7:05:02 PM

What is happening to these children is aweful, and disgusting. So called pastors making a benefit from hurting children they say are possessed. Maybe they should take a look at themselves, because only the possessed would do this to innocent children.

Posted by: Megan | May 22, 2009 7:05:29 PM

Ok, when have YOU been anywhere in the world trying to help? WHen you have packed your bags and run medical clinics in rural mountains, or taught good parenting classes in other countries, let me know. Or have you just sat in your living room and just watched the crap on ABC news? I think I've earned the right to be critical because I've packed my bags and DONE something about poverty and injustice. What's the last thing ABC had done besides air a story?

Posted by: Elizabeth Alston | May 22, 2009 7:07:20 PM

This is wrong what they are doing! Please pray for these children and help them out! I also think that yes, it is wrong what the "pastor" is doing to them but i do agree that you are being bias of christians....

Posted by: Mackayla | May 22, 2009 7:09:22 PM

People that say that abc news is wrong for what they just put on tv are the ones who are wrong. they want to save these children from the evil people who do these things to them. we also have to remember that their are children that need our help for the same reasons in america also. but im sure that no one would call them sinners. I learned something a long time ago when i was in sunday school, Only god can judge. we all need to learn that and help out each other as much as we can and stop wondering who is a sinner.

Posted by: Amber | May 22, 2009 7:10:21 PM

Of course you never thought to do the obvious: "Could you show me the verse in the Bible where it says you're supposed to do that? Over in Acts it only says they commanded in Jesus Name and the demons left. It says nothing about dripping hot wax on them or biting them. It just says they commanded in Jesus Name. Why can't you do that?" You would have gotten a lot further if you'd bothered to familiarize yourself with the Bible first. I mean, really, isn't that a logical thing to do?

Posted by: CAllenDoudna | May 22, 2009 7:11:20 PM

Pray for these children!!!Contact the organizations that can help and help them! Thank you ABC for covering this story...this is on the same order as Darfur...These ministers are not Christians..their trances and actions are demonic in nature..ABC please continue to keep us informed on the news.Children are horribly tortured and some do not survive this exorcism? Then they are abandoned and left to wander the streets or worse left at the "church" at the hands of these demon priests !!! Children are a gift of God..we need to help them. There should be thousands daily responding to this story...ABC News ..you can help these children by keeping their story in front of us...US citizens should take note and bring these children to the US through adoption. ABC News expose these priests for who they are...get to the truth so that these children's parents/guardians eyes will be open and not tolerate these "priests" in their communities. God bless those that help these little ones. God bless these innocent children and protect them.

Posted by: Theresa | May 22, 2009 7:11:36 PM

Why is everyone focusing on the so-called "Christian Pastor"? The real issue here is to save these children from the abuse and torment they are enduring. Why isn't our government stepping in to help these kids? I know Obama can help some kind of way. If their government or police won't stop this man and their demonically possessed organization than we should. If we can step in Iran/Iraq, then we definitely should be able to step in and help these kids. Jesus would never hurt a child with the type of exorcism's they are performing. Why can't those people see how fake this man is?

Posted by: Keryl | May 22, 2009 7:14:59 PM

The Holy Spirit would never accept these so-called pastors who traumatize kids and accuse them of witchcraft for money. I believe that Christians in the U.S. should help these kids. I am going to try to get my church to help. The PASTORS are the demons, NOT the kids. I hope these pastors are charged with fraud and assaulting on innocent children and I hope that they are punished with their crime.

Posted by: AJ Knauf | May 22, 2009 7:16:12 PM

This is truly the most horrible thing I have ever seen. I am also surprised by the reaction of people who feel attacked by ABC as though they are claiming Christians are responsible for this. ABC merely reported that the people abusing the children CLAIM themselves to be Christians. It's true of all religions... not all Muslims are evil because those who attack innocents in the name of the religion declare themselves Muslim. I don't judge by religion, but by behavior.

Posted by: Rae | May 22, 2009 7:16:45 PM

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