The striking contrast between the tone set by Pope Francis and some of the U.S. bishops continues. The latest example comes from Bishop Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, who greeted yesterday’s arrival of marriage equality in that state with an exorcism service. Paprocki said, “God is asking me to speak out and give these prayers.” From the report in the Chicago Sun-Times:
“I exorcise you, every unclean spirit, every power of darkness, every incursion of the infernal enemy, every diabolical legion, cohort, and faction, in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paprocki said. “Be uprooted and put to flight from the Church of God from souls created in the image of God and redeemed by the precious blood of the divine lamb.
“Dare no more, oh cunning serpent, to deceive the human race, to persecute the church of God, to shake the chosen of God and sift them like wheat,” he continued.
In an unusual use of public services, the exorcism included two armed Springfield police officers stationed inside the church vestibule where parishioners entered from the street. At one point during the service, one of the officers strode to the front of the church, though his purpose was unclear. There were no disruptions during the hourlong event.
“Be gone Satan, father of lies, enemy of human salvation,” Paprocki said later, as he began the conclusion of the exorcism. “Give way to Christ, in whom you found no trace of your works. Give way to the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic church, which Christ himself won by his blood.”
Before the 2012 election, Paprocki told his followers that voting for Democrats might put their eternal souls at risk.
