The Church has always struggled with superstitions retained among her vast and varied peoples. I wouldn't suppose one finds any sanction for these pagan leftovers. The Church prefers to allow such abuses, it would seem, rather than throwing people out.
The question is, why include them in the first place? This is an example where "numbers" are meaningless.
It is not dissimilar to the abuses we see in this country that are apparently tolerated by the hierarchy. Except that American abuses tend to be narcissistic rather than pagan.
I partially agree. However, it is a matter of degree. These people should never have been counted as "Catholics" in the first place. The Church should still be evangelizing them, but not accepting them into the Church until they were ready. (Methinks.)
Who said they were "included?" They are "tolerated" at best.
These people should never have been counted as "Catholics" in the first place. The Church should still be evangelizing them, but not accepting them into the Church until they were ready.
you do things your way, and we'll do them ours. We are more patient than the typical Protestant. If we can over a generation or two Christianize a people, we will do so. We dont' demand instant results.
SD