Story: Gary Seven
Art: Midjourney
1. The Gerasene Demoniac
Historians believe that the earliest documented exorcism comes from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically, the account of the Gerasene Demoniac suspected to be from AD 28-33. The narrative describes how a man from the Gerasene region was possessed with a ‘legion’ of demons, which Jesus expelled into a herd of pigs. Presented in three biblical accounts (Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39, and Matthew 8:28–34), it enshrines the origins of Christian exorcism, highlighting the moral combat that forms the crux of Christian thought: the battle of good and evil.
2. Martin Luther’s Encounter
In 1521, the renowned theologian Martin Luther documented his exorcism encounter with a young woman manifesting strange behaviours. Luther reportedly compelled the demon to depart using powerful prayer and spiritual commands. His assertive, faith-centred approach cemented Protestant views towards demonology and exorcism and played a significant part in the tradition of spiritual warfare within Protestant Christianity.
3. The Loudun Possessions
In the early 17th century, Urbain Grandier, a respected Catholic priest, became the centre of a scandal in Loudun, France. Accused of invoking demons to possess a group of nuns, he was held accountable for the mass hysteria that ensued, culminating in his execution for witchcraft. This complex case, filled with political and sexual dimensions, is well-documented and serves as a stark portrayal of the contentious nature of demonic possession and the potentially fatal consequences of being linked to such phenomena.
4. The Exorcism of George Lukins
Exhibited in British newspapers in 1788, the peculiar case of George Lukins stirred curiosity and alarm. Lukins, believed to be possessed by seven demons, was freed from his torment through a team of clergymen led by Reverend Easterbrook, culminating in singing the ‘Doxology’. This narrative, with its dramatic transformations and community-based approach to exorcism, stands out for its public performance and its emphasis on collective faith and prayer.
5. The Exorcism of Clara Germana Cele
In 1906, hysteria gripped Natal in South Africa when an orphan, Clara Germana Cele, succumbed to violent bouts of behaviour such as levitation, bestial sounds, and demonic knowledge including understanding Polish, French, and German despite her limited education. Two priests, Rev. Erasmus and Rev. Mansueti authorised an exorcism, after which Clara was reported to have returned to normal. The extensive written accounts of Father Hörner lend this case a unique significance in the annals of South African Catholic history.
6. The Case of Emma Schmidt
The ordeal of Emma Schmidt, alias ‘Anna Ecklund,’ unfolded between 1928-1932 in a secluded convent in Earling, Iowa. Emma was subjected to God-fearing revulsion of religious artefacts, shocking sexual fantasies, and horrific transformations. Four exorcisms, conducted by Reverend Theophilus Riesinger, ended her torment. Noteworthily documented in ‘Begone Satan!,’ it remains a haunting exemplar of the darker side of spiritual warfare within the Catholic faith.
7. The Exorcism of Robbie Mannheim
Robbie’s possession case in 1949 inspired the notorious film ‘The Exorcist’. The Maryland teenager’s ordeal started after using a Ouija board and comported horrific symptoms including violent outbursts, contortions, and disturbing messages on his skin. The Jesuits undertook multiple exorcisms. Father Raymond Bishop’s detailed diary affirmed the intense and prolonged process of ridding Robbie of demonic possession.
8. Anneliese Michel Exorcism
The haunting saga of Anneliese Michel unfolded in 1975, when the German Catholic girl underwent 67 exorcisms over ten months against malignant forces. Despite suffering unexplainable bruises, wounds, starvation and eventual death, Anneliese refused medical attention, believing in the authenticity of her possession. Immortalised in audio tapes and the film ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose,’ it reignited conversations on psychological problems versus real possession.
9. Mother Teresa’s Exorcism
At 87, Nobel laureate, Mother Teresa, underwent an exorcism whilst hospitalised for cardiac problems. The Archbishop of Calcutta, Henry D’Souza, sanctioned it to alleviate her spiritual distress, suggesting she might be under attack by the devil. Despite its controversial nature, this episode underscores the enduring tradition of exorcism within Catholic faith, even among its most respected and modern practitioners.
10. The Indianapolis ‘Demon House’
The 2014 Indianapolis ‘Demon House’ case involving Latoya Ammons has seized 21st-century public imagination. Reports of overwhelming evil, shadowy figures, apparitions, unmarked footprints, healing welts and inexplicable phenomena led to multiple official exorcisms by Reverend Michael Maginot. Chronicled extensively by the ‘Indianapolis Star’ and in a documentary, it underscores the relevance and magnitude of exorcisms in the contemporary world.
The Secret Paranormal Investigator 