Dangerous rite
Sir, — Occasionally sick people’ are reported to have died while undergoing exorcist rites to expel “devils” held responsible for their condition. Last week “The Press” carried reports from West Germany concerning an epileptic young woman who died from starvation after a Roman Catholic priest had conducted exorcist sessions. Apparently she drank mainly “holy water” fo” several months, weighing only 31 kilograms at death. It is astonishing that such incidents still occur in Western communities, and that Christian priests can still be involved in dangerous, medieval cults and practices. We also hear of priests performing rites to drive "evil spirits” from dwellings. When deaths occur because of primitive notions concerning “devils” and “evil spirits” is it not time for Christian churches to take a strong stand against beliefs dating back to a superstitious, cruel period in religious history, and discourage any such ideas which may still be lurking in the community generally? — Yours, etc., HELEN HERVEY. April 9, 1978.
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Press, 11 April 1978, Page 16
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160Dangerous rite Press, 11 April 1978, Page 16
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