The Syncretism of the Gabonese Bwiti Religion and Catholic Christianity from a Theological and Theological-Ethical Perspective
AUC THEOLOGICA November 25, 2022 Ondřej Havelka 2 citations
The article examines whether the psychedelic initiation ritual of the Gabonese Bwiti religion, which involves consuming the iboga root and incorporates Catholic sacraments like Penance and Holy Communion, aligns with Catholic theological and ethical foundations. Based on three years of field research in Africa (2001–2019), including 12 months focused on West and Central African syncretisms, the author argues that the ritual's compatibility with Catholic teaching is questionable, given its reliance on a psychoactive substance for spiritual experience. The work compares literature and firsthand observations to assess the tension between indigenous practices and Catholic doctrine.