What happened to Emily Rose – “The exorcism of Emily Rose” is based on the true storey of Anneliese Michel.
Would You Choose Psychotherapy or Exorcism ?
It has been reported by an extraordinary radio documentary that many Germans are tortured by inner voices, they are constantly on the search for priests who can free them from what they believe to be the work of the Devil, the results have stirred an awkward debate about offering exorcism or psychotherapy within 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.”
A Polish exorcist, named only as Father Wiktor, suggested that this was only a fraction of the actual number seeking help from the church.
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.
“I would say that 90 per cent of those who think they are possessed 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 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.
What are your views on this subject…We are listening and we are interested.
Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist
