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| The Black Hand of God by Author R.S. Basi, Illustrator Aaron Morgan
The story of Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita, a 17th century religious reformer sometimes called the "African Joan of Arc." The story is told by her father, an introspective parent whose regret keeps him questioning the authority of the Church.
Although Kimpa Vita gained many followers with her claim to be the reincarnation of St. Anthony, she was plagued by reminders of her own mortality and this gnawed at her confidence. She preached that Jesus was from Kongo and that the Kongolese were equal to Europeans in heaven, messages that resonated with the war-weary subjects of Kongo and brought her great influence.
Her undeniable power directly threatened the Church and King, setting up a confrontation with the highest stakes.
Kimpa Vita is considered by many to be the progenitor of the African Independent Church movement, which sought to reconcile African spiritual needs with the Euro-centric teachings of the Christian church. Her influence may be discerned in, and has relevance to, American history.
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