DEVILS AT A WEDDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17394, 5 July 1924, Page 19

DEVILS AT A WEDDING.

FATALITY IN CASTING OUT. “ Casting out devils ” is a custom prevailing in some parts of the South Italian district of Salerno, whero exorcism of evil spirits by means of ancient ritual has caused the death of a woman believed to be “ possessed.” After a wedding banquet at an inland village, one of the guests, Antonietta Nigro, having fed well, if not wisely, showed signs of mental disturbance. Shouting disconnected sentences, she fell to th© ground, wirthing in contortions. No explanation occurred to the peasants present but that Antonietta was possessed by a legion of evil spirits. In accordance with the ancient tradition of St. Antonio, the supposed maniac was carried in a procession by the wedding party to the church, in which is a broken column where in old times devils were wont to be cast out. By the legendary ritual, a cord is passed around the feet, the waist, and the neck of the subject, and also round and round the column. When the evil spirits are driven out invisible hands ring unseen bells. Having bound Antonietta, the relatives waited in the churchyard for ten minutes. Hearing no bells they reentered the church and found that the •woman had strangled herself as she writhed in delirium with the cord about her neck. Parties to the attempted exorcism have been arrested, as the ancient superstitious ceremony is no longer recognised by either Church or State. .