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| Man Sues Diocese for Possession of Exorcism Recordings By Adam Parker Post and Courier June 29, 2008 http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/29/man_sues_diocese_possession_exorcism_rec46002/ [with link to the official 1999 rite of exorcism] When the man prayed, his hand twitched. Concerned, the man sought the advice of a priest, who diagnosed him with being possessed by an evil spirit, perhaps the devil. An exorcism, the priest advised, was the only solution. It was taped. And now the man wants the "tape(s)" and for no one to see it. The account is detailed in a lawsuit filed last month in the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas. The man, called J. Doe in the suit so that his identity is protected, alleges that his privacy was invaded when the exorcism was filmed by officials of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. Doe had tried "to seek justice peacefully, within the Church and without resorting to legal action," for more than two years in an attempt to reclaim the recorded material or have it destroyed, according to the suit and attorney Larry Richter. He also is seeking an injunction to prevent the diocese from using the recordings in any way, according to the suit. He wants a jury trial. Diocese officials would not comment on the specifics of a pending case. Spokesman Steve Gajdosik, citing the private nature of exorcism, said only that "the Holy See encourages dioceses to take up this important role, process, program," and that to perform an exorcism, a priest requires special training that includes education and practical and spiritual experience. The Rev. Msgr. Anthony LaFemina is the only priest in the diocese performing exorcisms, Gajdosik said. He did not know how many have been performed in recent years. LaFemina was on vacation in Florida and unavailable for comment.
To read the official 1999 rite of exorcism, visit http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/05_06/2008_06_29_Catholicdoorscom_LitanyOf.htm
Richter said his client resorted to legal action only after LaFemina and diocese officials ignored his repeated requests to hand over the recording, though assurances apparently were made that the "tape(s)" would not be distributed. "The concern is (that he will) be held up to some kind of ridicule" should the "tape(s)" be viewed by others, Richter said. "If (the "tape(s)") is not being used and not needed, what's the big deal?" Doe returned to the church in recent years after a long-term separation. After reactivating his practice of the faith, he noticed "mild hand-twitching during prayer," which worried him and caused him to seek "healing prayer" from a priest, according to the suit. "The local priest diagnosed possible affliction or possession by an evil spirit, the devil," the suit states. Doe was referred to LaFemina, who discussed the symptoms over the phone and told Doe he thought possession was a likely explanation. "Treatment" — exorcism — was the "most viable option," the priest told Doe, according to the suit. Before the procedure, Doe was asked to sign a consent form that included permission for the diocese to record the treatment, the suit states. Doe was very uncomfortable with the idea of recording such an intensely private event and asked that it not be done. His request was denied, according to the suit. "After further complaint about the recording, Doe was informed that there was no other option available," the suit states. "It was a take it or leave it proposition… (T)he devil would remain afflicting Doe unless the consent form was signed." Doe offered alternatives to recording the exorcism, saying he would bear any expense, but his offer was rejected, according to the suit. Only later did Doe learn that recording exorcisms was not necessarily commonplace, the suit states. The treatment was performed over the course of seven to 10 days, and included priests and several unknown lay people affiliated with the church, according to the suit. After the exorcism, Doe continued to worry that the recording could be misused and continued to submit requests to the diocese for the destruction of the tape, the suit states. "These concerns fell on deaf ears." Richter said the legality of the consent form is disputable. Was it Doe or the possessed Doe (in other words, the devil) who signed consent? The section called "Sacramentals" in the Vatican's Code of Canon Law states that "No one can perform exorcisms legitimately upon the possessed unless he has obtained special and express permission from the local ordinary" — typically a bishop. "The local ordinary is to give this permission only to a presbyter" — priest — "who has piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life." "The Roman Ritual," a Vatican-approved text that includes instructions on how to perform certain rites, addresses exorcism directly and in detail, describing the specific prayers, psalms, scriptural passages, creeds and saints' names that should be recited. Pope John Paul II approved an updated rite of exorcism in 1998, which was published in 1999, Gajdosik said. Pope Benedict XVI has called for more exorcists to be trained, Gajdosik said. Reach Adam Parker at 937-5902 or aparker@postandcourier.com |
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