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Hundreds of Germans, tortured by inner voices, are on the search for priests who can free them from what they believe to be the grip of the Devil, according to an extraordinary radio documentary that has stirred an awkward debate about exorcism in the Catholic Church.
“Over the past year alone I have received requests from around 350 people who think they are possessed by an evil spirit,” says Father Joerg Mueller, who heads a group of priests, doctors and therapists to deal with the problem. “Therapy hasn't worked for them; they want exorcism — a prayer that can free them.”
Father Mueller, who is based in a Bavarian monastery, was talking to a team from WDR, the state radio network, which was allowed to record extracts from eight exorcisms.
A Polish exorcist, named only as Father Wiktor, suggested that this was only a fraction of the actual number seeking help
“I would say that every day at least one person is undergoing a full-scale exorcism,” he told WDR.
This has come as a shock to the Catholic Church in Germany, which has shied away from exorcism since the tragic case of Anneliese Michel in 1973.
Ms Michel, 23, from a strongly Catholic Bavarian village, had epilepsy and suffered from hallucinations. Two priests were authorised to perform an exorcism. They performed the ritual 67 times until she died, having starved herself to 31kg (68lb).
After her death the priests and her parents were sentenced to six-months' suspended jail sentences for not referring her for medical treatment.
That verdict and the publicity — two films were made about the case including The Exorcism of Emily Rose in 2005 — scared the Church hierarchy. Permission for a full exorcism now has to be granted by a bishop, but few permits have been given. In a poll of German dioceses, only Paderborn admitted to having authorised three exorcisms.
Frustrated by the lack of exorcists in their own country, disturbed Germans are turning to esoteric spiritual healers and priests in Switzerland and Poland. Andrzej Trojanowski, a Polish priest, even has plans to set up an exorcism centre in Poczernin, on the Polish-German border.
WDR broadcast some of the sessions of the exorcists with Ms Michel. She is heard growling and barking. “Tell the truth in the name of the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary!” commands Father Arnold Renz. The answer comes in the form of a long, terrifying scream.
The recording is making the Church leadership more reluctant to address the needs of the supposedly possessed. Yet by doing so the bishops are flying in the face of the Pope, who urged a convention of exorcists to “carry on your important work in the service of the Church”.
Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican exorcist-in-chief, has performed the ritual more than 40,000 times.
The Vatican aim appears to be to place at least one exorcist in each diocese to ensure that the distressed do not drift away from the Church. In Germany, however, that drift is already happening.
“I would say that 90 per cent of those who think they are posessed by the Devil are mentally ill,” said Father Mueller. A large number of them have suffered sexual abuse as children. Some think that an exorcism is easier than long years of psychotherapy.
He added: “But about ten per cent of the people who approach us have some sign of demonic possession and then you have to turn to special, charismatic men and women who have the gift of being able to feel and recognise if demons have entered someone.”
Only a handful qualify for exorcism. He gave the example of a widow who was convinced that her late husband had returned, in demonic form, to taunt her. She was offered psychotherapy.
Counting the Devil
300 Estimated number of trained exorcists in Italy
70 Estimated number of exorcists in Poland
84 Pages in the Vatican's 1999 Latin “rule book” on exorcism
Source: Times archives
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I once saw a fallen angel. He gave me the creeps. Demons are real! Jesus Christ spoke about hell and demons. He spent a lot of time exorcising them. The Bible says that "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD (Jesus Christ) shall be save!. Only His name can deliver people from possession!!!
Anne, Nashville, USA
There are no ghosts or evil spirits, those vioces are their own. The only way to get better is to reconize that it is you, and make peace with yourself.
The delusional illusions of beliefs from religions/spiritualists/spiritual cults, and even the science cults, all serve to make it worse.
Robert, Laconia, N.H., United states
If you believe in God Jesus, then you must believe about a force is their against him. He is called Satan. In Bible New testment, Jesus castout many demons . Jesus teach us, "Whoever believe in Almighty Father ,his Son Jesus and Holy Spirit, he will save." Jeus is our saviour. Be happy always thanks
Vinod, Bangalore, India
We are witnessing an increased demand for exorcisms because of the increasing distress caused by ghosts under the influence of time. Serious research organizations like SSRF instead of discounting the possibility of physical and mental illnesses being caused or aggravated by ghosts, explain them.
Ana, Zagreb,
Every religion claims that only through it and it alone can evil be cast out , which doesn't sound much like the work of an all-loving Creator to me - basically you're screwed if you're not with the right 'gang'; II'll stick with Deism - God,'s great it's human religions that are a problem.
Ruth , Glasgow, Scotland
Rob: Is that intended to be proof of the existence of demons?
Alan Henness, GLASGOW,
I witnessed a posession at a healing mass. The bad spirit revealed itself when the priest touched the woman's forehead. He looked very suprised. We all assisted him by praying. It was very coool hearing the different languages. The woman calmed down after 30 min. The padre looked spent after this
Rob, claremont, ca
To all those who claim that demons and demonic possession exist, please provide proof.
Alan Henness, GLASGOW,
Anyone who denies the existence of demons and evil beings obviously has no spiritual sense at all. I have seen demonic beings with my own eyes, and I am not a loony. I am college educated, and very intelligent, with no history of mental illness.
Brandon Krusac, Dallas, USA
Possession is the same if it comes from"Jesus".
Only a destructive, mischevous spirit would want to
possess another, with or without permission.
By their fruit you can know them. Who then
is the author of confusion? Freedom cannot be
given, it must be taken. Dependence is possession
induced.EB
E A B, Toronto, Canada
As a Medical Doctor and a Psychiatrist, Dr. Shakuntala Modi has over 15 years of clinical experience healing patients who were possessed by demons. Dr. Modi releases demons in a way that's more gentle & effective than exorcisms , which you can read about in her book "Remarkable Healings".
Eli Dumitru, Medford, U.S.A.
I had a goober kicked out of me. I wasn't Christian then. Now I'm Christian and have witnessed this delivarance alot. It is common to have things in you and to have things kicked out. We are protected when we are filled with His Holy Spirit. Given the way of the world, this search is prevalant now!
Olivia, Paradise, U.S.A.
Notice how the face of ignorance wears the mask of pride every time?
I remember having the same mask of pride and patronising people like myself who know about the reality of posession and satan.
Your ignorance and attitude won't protect you. I found this out the hard way.
Pray for the unkno
Olivia, Paradise, U.S.A.
Satan has no power over me; he does not exist. God cannot save me; he also does not exist. The Holy Spirit cannot help me, as there is no such thing. If any of these entities exist, I invite them to prove it by giving me a call. You gotta know my number.
Jeff, Washington USA,
It's important to understand that even Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit can be very harassed without being possessed.. Why would satan only torment the people that already belong him!! Extreme harassment could be misunsterstood to be possession!These last days will consist of strange phenomonon
Kevin, Muncie, USA
Terrifying concept...back to the dark ages with the all the power returning to the one true fraudulent church??? It's all about people control!
Mental illness needs to be treated as such, compassionately and medically, not by people whose world view is ignorant and dangerous!!
Helen Gilmour, Queensland, Australia
Those who don't believe in God, won't. Satan has no godly powers and can only personally attack those not filled with the Holy Spirit. The bible is clear with how to deal with demons "in the name of Jesus". Luke 9:49, Luke 10:17. And gives clear warning in Acts 19:13-16, and Matthew 7:21.
George, Nashville,
Today there is overwhelming evidence of demonic possessions. One method the devil uses in attacking God is to convince people that he does not exist and in this way he is free to drag souls to Hell. The Devil truly exists those who say otherwise are in league with the Devil.
Greg Guy, Sydney, Australia
I believe most of the leaders of nations today are possessed!
Walter , Buffalo, USA
Geri: There is no Holy Spirit; there is no God; there is no Satan; there are no evil spirits and no one is possessed by them. It would have been better if we had left such unfounded notions where they belong - in the dark ages.
Alan Henness, GLASGOW,
Just as we have the Holy Spirit we also have satan and his legion of demons (evil spirits). Anyone who feels they are possessed, probably are. Stress can possess you just as anything else that dominates you. However, evil cannot dwell where holiness dwells; therefore seek the Lord!
Geri, Pueblo, USA
Please tell me this is a story from The Times 100 years ago?
Alan Henness, Glasgow,
They're not suffering 'demons', they're suffering mental illness. They need counseling or psychiatric help, not religious exploitation and 'exorcisms'.
charlou, whyalla,