Possessed by a Demonic Ouija Board or Just Bored?

Possessed by a demonic Ouija board? Not likely, but the story should boost sales of Ouija boards and maybe give a screenwriter an idea for a script.

Ouija board fans and enemies were buzzing about a recent story of a possible Ouija-induced demonic possession. Three American friends in Mexico were taken to a hospital when they gave the appearance of demonic possession after playing with a Ouija board. A video of one went viral and piqued interest worldwide in Ouija boards, demonic possession and great new ways to become famous without using kittens. What are the details? Read more

Exorcism Experiencing a Renaissance in American Catholicism

Exorcism is experiencing a renaissance in American Catholicism.

For more than a decade, Frank, a software consultant who lives near Silicon Valley, California, has been haunted by depression and rage. Searching for remedies to lift his dark mood, Frank, 52, tried pills, therapy, even channeling spirits. Nothing worked.

Three years ago, his wife handed him a book about demonic possession. Written by a former priest active in charismatic Catholic circles, the book presented scriptural arguments for the existence of demons and offered advice to questions such as “How do we know if an evil spirit is really present?” and “How do I pray for deliverance?” Desperate for relief, Frank decided, while he was jogging one night, to pray for deliverance.ed.

“If I had known what was going to happen, I would have picked a more private place,” Frank says. After reciting the recommended prayer, he doubled over, dry heaving, by the side of the road. His lungs felt like they were leaping out of his chest. Read more

What Happens at Exorcism School?

At a recent exorcism conference in Baltimore, Maryland, bishops and priests discussed demons, devils, and the need for proper exorcism training.

The exorcism conference was closed-door. The October conference, in Baltimore, Maryland, preceding a conference of US Catholic bishops, was attended by 56 bishops and 66 priests. The bishops were the novelty. There is a small annual conference on exorcism, but only a few priests attend. The conference focused on the details of the rite of exorcism, and "the reality of demonic manifestations in our society", a participant said.

While all Catholic priests can theoretically perform exorcism, very few American priests are trained to do so. The conference, intended to remedy the shortfall, was organised by Bishop Thomas Paprocki, chair of the Bishops' committee on canonical affairs and church governance. "I thought it went well," he said. "We had lots of bishops, and lots of priests." Read more