Flemish exorcists “can barely keep up with demand”

An 'exorcism' may mainly have seemed something from the past. Yet it still happens today. "I do 3 exorcisms a week and not a day goes by without new requests," Geert, an official exorcist, explains. ("Geert" is a pseudonym, but his real name is known to our news team).

It asks a lot of him, in addition to his pastoral work "to listen to these people's stories and to try to set them free". Geert says he is no exception. "I often hear that even in other parishes they can hardly keep up with the demand".

Not like in the movies

"Exorcism has been around for a very long time," explains historian Kristof Smeyers (KU Leuven). His research 'Devil's Displeasure' tries to chart the history of exorcism in Flanders.

"At some point, the church felt that there was a need to incorporate these practices, which had existed for centuries. In the 17th century, the procedure was then written down step by step. Not much has changed since that day."

Geert learnt about exorcism from such works. "There are also courses in exorcism in Rome and I would like to take one someday. Exorcisms are not actually that spectacular, unlike how they are sometimes portrayed in films like 'The Exorcist'."

If it doesn't happen like in the famous horror movie, how is it done? "It starts with an exploratory conversation," Geert explains. "The person freely, and in full confidence, tells his story. This is followed by a long prayer to set him free. Nothing physical actually happens."

"The essence of an exorcism is engaging in dialogue with evil," adds historian Kristof Smeyers. "The manuals recommend caution, because the devil is the father of lies. So anything he says can be a lie."

Who chooses for an exorcism?

According to Smeyers, people who are possessed do not display uniform symptoms. "These symptoms change a lot over the centuries," he explains.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, for example, it’s mainly "physical symptoms" that occur. "In general, alarm bells go off when someone shows abnormal behaviour". Think of 'accidents' that occur but seem to have no explanation.  They can raise suspicions of the devil."

The historian does see a clear distinction between those who are convinced "that the devil dwells within them" and those whose surroundings are convinced of it. "There’s a disproportionate number of women who are said to be possessed by the devil or demons. There is a dominant theory that women are more prone to sinfulness and evil."

Geert sees a pattern in the people who come to him. "They are people who are stuck and cannot move forward in life and blame it on the presence of a superhuman force. We live in uncertain times. People have less to hold on to and find it harder to explain things."

Can exorcism offer these people real liberation? "It doesn't happen automatically” explains Geert ,”but about half the people say they feel better and are able to move forward once again."