| The Exorcism of Emily Rose
In an extremely rare decision, the Catholic Church officially recognized the demonic possession of a 19 year-old college freshman. Told in flashbacks, 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' chronicles the haunting trial of the priest accused of negligence resulting in the death of the young girl believed to be possessed and the laywer who takes on the task of defending him.
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A couple of Psych students got together Saturday night and went to see the thriller 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose'. This movie was very interesting as it depicted the possession of a girl, very close in age to many of us, and the attempted exorcism of the demon which possessed her. The court room scenes showed a microcosm battle of a greater battle between Faith and Science. This movie displays both the religious and scientific arguements of Emily's condition.
We recommend that you go and see this movie. Although scarey and horrifying at times during the film, one walks away with a greater understanding as to the reality of demonic possession.
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The True Story of Emily Rose
The film The Exorcism of Emily Rose is loosely based on a case which occurred in Germany between 1968 and 1976.
Anneliese Michel was a devout 15-year-old when she began experiencing brief uncontrollable fits of shaking. By 1970 she reported seeing flashes of demonic images especially while she was praying.
In 1973, the same year William Friedkin's The Exorcist was first released, her parents asked for an exorcism which was denied.
The film reached Germany in 1974 at the same time Anneliese's condition worsened to the point the bishop finally sanctioned an exorcism. The girl underwent a ritual each week from Sept. 1975 until June 1976 and died during the exorcism on June 30, 1976.
Within months, state prosecutors began building a case of negligent homicide against the priests who performed the exorcisms and members of Anneliese's family.
The case went to trial two years later, with all parties involved found guilty but granted leniency.
Though the Catholic Church has officially decreed the girl was not possessed, hundreds of people from around the world yearly make pilgrimages to her grave.
On Feb. 17 of this year, the Vatican under Pope John Paul II's guidance issued a new text for church-sanctioned exorcisms.
Called Exorcism for the New Millennium, it is the first update of the Catholic Church's stance on demonic possession since 1614.
The Vatican also enrolled 100 priests from around the world in classes on Satanism, demonic possession and exorcism.
Pope John Paul personally performed at least three exorcisms during his papacy and was a firm believer in demonic possession.
In 2000 John Paul had lashed out at "the sensationalism, theatricality and hysteria surrounding exorcisms particularly in Latin America and Africa" and called for the reforms that resulted in the new text.
Before a bishop can sanction an exorcism, doctors and psychiatrists must agree there could be something beyond a medical condition. |
