Sep 21, 2000
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago Appoints an Exorcist
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has appointed a full-time exorcist. The veteran priest, whose identity was withheld to protect his privacy, said his task is to "heal those afflicted by the Evil One," according to the Chicago Tribune. He was appointed by Cardinal Francis George, who said he felt it was needed....The exorcist, who began his work quietly about a year ago, said he collaborates with a number of health care professionals and officials of the archdiocese. He is meeting with a dozen people who have sought his help, according to the Tribune, but it is unclear whether any of them could qualify for the ritual. About 95 percent of those who present themselves for exorcisms are not really fit subjects, a diocese spokesman said....An exorcism involves prayer, blessings, and the command for the devil to leave the possessed person in the name of Jesus. Interest in exorcism is being revived with the re-release Sept. 22 of the 1973 movie "The Exorcist," about a priest's battle for the soul of a girl possessed by the devil....James LeBar, a priest who is an exorcist for the Archdiocese of New York, said there has been a "large explosion" of exorcisms over the last decade, from none in 1990 to 300, according to the Tribune. "As people lose their respect and reverence for life, spirituality, and human beings, the devil can move in," LeBar said. "He can attack them by possessing them, and rendering them helpless." http://www.religiontoday.com/Archive/NewsSummary/view.cgi?file=20000921.brf.html
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