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Handout #256 |
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The Malagasy martyrs of the nineteenth century |
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After describing the first efforts of Jesuit
missionaries to preach the gospel in Madagascar, Fr Jouen, superior of the
mission, speaks of Protestant Christians who are subjected to persecution
within the island in the region of Teneriffe. This letter is dated Paris, 1
October 1860. Fr. Jouen had paid a personal visit incognito to Teneriffe in
1856.
Finally, a word about the fate of our brothers the Christian ovas (Protestants). It is impossible to describe the degree to which they are persecuted by the stupid and barbarous superstition of the old queen (Ranavalona): torture by fire torture by the pit and by boiling water, torture by the saw--there is nothing that she and her government do not invent to torture and exterminate them; and in spite of this they are in good spirit and nothing can dishearten them. The unfortunate person who is condemned to torture by boiling water is first bound with cords which sometimes cut into him so deeply that his flesh is broken; then he is thrown into the ditch dug in front of him and killed by having cauldrons of boiling water poured on him. But there is a refinement of cruelty which can only have been suggested by hell; the victim's own family has to make the preparations for the torture. Some years ago two unfortunate women had their bodies sawn in half to force them to denounce their Christian kinsfolk. These heroic women were stronger that the tortures, and nothing could extract a word from them. The two leaders of this little flock recently went to death by stoning singing hymns to the glory of Jesus Christ. Resume de quinze annees de la Mission de Madagascar, an address given by R. P. Jouen,apostolic prefect, to members of the two councils of the Propagation of the Faith. |
