A priest has shared insights into his encounters with exorcisms, detailing the ‘most common’ type of possession and the religious practice that often provides Christians with protection from demonic forces.
If you’ve ever seen movies like The Conjuring, Scary Movie 2, or Beetlejuice, you may have some idea of what an exorcism entails.
For those unfamiliar, New Advent’s Catholic Encyclopedia defines exorcism as the act of expelling or warding off demons or evil spirits from individuals, locations, or objects.
But how do real-life exorcisms compare to the dramatic portrayals we see in horror films?
Reverend Chris Lee, who serves as the Anglican priest-in-charge at St. Saviour’s Church in Wendell Park, West London, shared with LADbible Stories that he has been ‘involved with numerous’ exorcisms.
“I have seen exorcism. I’ve seen demons be cast out of people and heard them speak, and it is real,” he asserted.
The clergyman shared that the ‘most powerful’ exorcism he witnessed occurred during a pilgrimage in Africa.
Before recounting his personal experiences, Rev. Lee mentioned his belief in the spiritual world, as a Christian.
“I believe that there are angels and I believe that there are demons,” he stated.
He explained that the spiritual realm is accessible and that religious individuals, due to their connection with the Holy Spirit, have a special calling.
However, according to him, using tools like tarot cards and Ouija boards to engage with the spiritual dimension is seen by the church as ‘dangerous’.
While in Africa, the clergyman was ‘called to a girl’ who was ‘coming off the ground’ and speaking in ‘different male voices’.
“We had to pray for her in that time and see her delivered of the demon that was in her.
“Full possession of someone is very rare and it doesn’t happen very often. It’s a very rare occurrence.”
Rev. Lee mentioned that the more ‘common’ type of possession is oppression, which he described as ‘someone who’s feeling oppressed by something evil’.
“Imagine walking through a dirty puddle and you get splashed by the puddle and there’s stuff that remains, and so there is a spiritual relevance to praying, blessing, and cleansing over someone.”
He concluded by explaining that those who have been baptized, or whose children have been baptized, have already experienced a form of exorcism.
“Within the baptism rite is an exorcism,” he revealed. “You pray over the child or the person that they be ‘delivered from darkness’.”
To perform this, a priest places his hands on the head of a person or child and recites specific words.
“That is an exorcism rite built into baptism,” he continued. “So that happens all the time.
“It is not something that I think you should worry about, and the church has specialists and exorcists in every diocese.”
You can watch the full interview with Reverend Chris Lee on the LADbible Stories YouTube channel.