Santeria Leaders Hope Tolerance of Faith's Rituals Spreads

July 27, 2008

Author: Mike Clary

Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbsanteria0727sbjul27,0,3756634.story

Although Santeria has been widely practiced in South Florida for decades, the Afro-Cuban religion, which at times includes animal sacrifices, remains cloaked in mystery and sensation.

Just last year, police staged an armed raid on a Coral Gables home where several goats, chickens and pigeons were being slaughtered in a ritual. Several worshipers were held at gunpoint and detained for hours.

But leaders of the faith are hailing a recent decision by Miami-Dade County police officials to include in their Law Enforcement Handbook a reminder that the U.S. Constitution protects the humane killing of animals in religious ceremonies.

Yeyefini Efunbolade, a Santeria priest who lives in Hollywood, expressed hope that the message will spread to Broward and Palm Beach counties, and other jurisdictions with reputations for less tolerance for animal sacrifices.