INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Pornography, illegal drug use and increasing interest in the occult are to blame for an “alarming” uptick in demonic activity, according to a Catholic priest who performs exorcisms.
Father Vincent Lampert, an exorcist for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis since 2005, has assisted in more than 40 exorcisms. When he began expelling demons, only 12 other exorcists worked in the U.S., he said. Now, there are 50, and demand is rising faster than supply.
“The problem isn’t that the devil has upped his game, but more people are willing to play it,” he told the National Catholic Register.
Fortunately, porn, drugs and Satanic rituals rarely result in full-on possession, according to Fr. Lampert.
“I’ve only seen three possessions in the last three years, but there is also infestation, vexation and obsession,” he said.
“Infestation” typically manifests in objects moving about seemingly on their own and loud noises. The latter certainly is present in porn.
Victims of “vexation” often bear bruises, bites or scratches. Again, sounds like porn: Depending upon the genre — BDSM, some gonzo, rape fantasies — performing in porn can leave physical marks.
The symptoms of “obsession” include persistent “thoughts of evil.” Draw your own conclusions about that one, but many hard-right social conservatives and ultra-religious folks seem to believe any sexual activity not undertaken within a heterosexual marriage, in the missionary position with the lights out, is just begging for the wrath of God.
For that matter, demonic possession sounds a bit porn-like, too.
“In possessions, I have seen eyes rolled back in the head, throwing out obscenities, bodily contortions, foul odors, temperatures drop in the room, and I’ve witnessed someone levitating,” Fr. Lampert said.
