US: Bishop plans ‘exorcism’ for the day Illinois legalises equal marriage
A Catholic bishop in Illinois has planned to hold an “exorcism” for the day the state legalises same-sex marriage.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki said in a press release on Thursday he would be holding his exorcism at the same time.
He added: “It is scandalous that so many Catholic politicians are responsible for enabling the passage of this legislation and even twisting the words of the pope to rationalize their actions despite the clear teaching of the church.
“All politicians now have the moral obligation to work for the repeal of this sinful and objectionable legislation. We must pray for deliverance from this evil which has penetrated our state and our church.”
Bishop Paprocki had no immediate comment on the exorcism, which will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, but said that same-sex marriage “comes from the devil and should be condemned as such.”
He added: “Let us not be naive: It is not a simple political struggle; it is an intention [which is] destructive of the plan of God. It is not a mere legislative project (this is a mere instrument), but rather a ‘move’ of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God.”
Last week, the Illinois General Assembly passed the state’s equal marriage bill 61-54.
Earlier this year, Bishop Paprocki was involved in the case of an Illinois priest who last year got stuck in a pair of handcuffs and insisted it was a “non-sexual” event brought on by “stress.”
Mr Paprocki released a statement which read: “On December 8th, I met with Father Donovan and Monsignor Carl Kemme, my Vicar General, in my office at the Catholic Pastoral Center.
“Father Donovan said that he was mortified by what happened and acknowledged that the information that had been reported to me was basically accurate. He insisted that he had been alone the whole time of this incident and denied that there was any sexual component to this.”
