‘In the Hands of a Malign Force’: Priest Says Pandemic Led to Rise in Requests for Exorcisms by Steve Warren for CBN News
A Catholic priest said he believes the COVID-19 pandemic is behind the rise in people asking for exorcisms.
During a recent interview with The Telegraph, Father Gian Matter Roggio, an Italian priest and trained exorcist said some people believe a supernatural force is behind the pandemic and it has taken over their lives.
“We have seen an increase in the request for exorcisms because the pandemic has made people more vulnerable to the idea that Satan or some evil entity has taken over their lives,” Roggio told the newspaper.
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“People have fallen into poverty, they found themselves suffering from anxiety and depression. They feel that their lives are no longer in their own hands but in the hands of a malign force. It’s a big crisis,” he said.
Catholic Online agreed with Roggio’s statement, noting, “The explanation makes sense. Satan and his demons prey upon people when they are most vulnerable. Those facing crisis, people who are desperate, are more likely to engage in behaviors that facilitate demonic possession. Those behaviors include sinful activities, including engaging in vices and dabbling in the occult. While many people turn to their faith in times of need, some turn away, blaming God for their difficulties
Father Luis Ramirez, who has organized training courses on exorcism within the Catholic Church, agreed with Roggio about the rising demand due to COVID-19 but explained priests are also helping churchgoers deal with mental problems as well.
“During the pandemic, priests around the world have had more requests for psychiatric help from parishioners,” he said.
As CBN News reported in 2020 at the outset of the worldwide pandemic, people were searching for hope and encouragement causing sales of copies of the Holy Bible to escalate.
