WARNING! Video content disturbing and sexually suggestive.
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Ed. note: I posted the video because it is a fascinating interpretation of a historical case of possession of an entire convent of Ursuline nuns in France. The story as we know it is based upon the non-fiction novel The Devils of Loudun, by Aldous Huxley. The film clip is a bizarre representation of repressed sexuality, religious fervor, exaggerated mystical piety, and the idealization of priests; climaxing in sadistic public exorcisms as well as the bewitched, promiscuous, errant priest burned at the sake. Somewhat analogous - in an exaggerated sense of course - to what is going on today. I know many of you will most likely disagree. I don't mind.
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Authority
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Most of us have a certain awe of exorcism. That is one reason why movies are made on the subject. It is also why strict protocols are established for the ritual, only to be conducted with authorization from the local Ordinary. The local bishop. As Catholics we hold our priests in great esteem, and exorcists seem to hold a very special fascination for most. This is understandable since Canon Law states that the priest, chosen by the local Ordinary to perform exorcisms must be a priest 'endowed with piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life.' [C. 1172] Thus we tend to have what appears to be a higher regard for someone we perceive as a holy man, a man of authority and power. Frequently, it seems many people place more credence in what an exorcist says or writes publicly, about such things as apparitions of the Blessed Virgin or private revelation, than we do in what our bishops teach and caution about the same. This demonstrates how much power and authority the exorcist can hold over the public imagination.
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Abuse.
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Exorcists are permitted by the local ordinary, therefore the priest does not act on his own initiative. The ritual is public, although it is conducted in private with witnesses. To conduct an exorcism without permission, and without witnesses is an abuse. Therefore, I should think the vulnerable subject can rightly be considered a victim of abuse - even before sexual encounter. Exorcism is a public rite of the Church - therefore, any abuse becomes a matter of public concern.
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My concern.
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I think I mentioned before that I have a friend whose vulnerable condition and state in life - an obedient novice - had been taken advantage of by a priest she went to for counsel - this woman is still screwed up. Like I said, I don't know who the priest is. She wasn't a candidate for an exorcism, and to my knowledge, he was not an exorcist. My point is that women seem to be the forgotten victims in abuse situations, and priests seem to be easily excused when it comes to heterosexual misconduct - consensual or not.
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When I think of my friend and her suffering, I get angry. Prayer helps me through it.
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Please don't demonize the victims or the messengers.
