The Vatican's Exorcists

December 11, 2006
Anyone who has seen the movie The
\t\t Exorcist will never forget the transformation of lead actress Linda
\t\t Blair from an innocent young girl into a demonically possessed, vomit-spewing
\t\t monster. According to Wilkinson's account, some contemporary Catholic
\t\t priest-exorcists have seen even more horrifying metamorphoses. If the priests
\t\t interviewed in this informative book are to be believed, there is an increasing
\t\t demand for their services. Underlying the attraction to exorcisms, Wilkinson
\t\t speculates, is a desire for simple explanations for complex problems. "In a
\t\t world awash in catastrophe and unspeakable suffering, many people feel
\t\t increasingly compelled to see evil in concrete and personified—not to mention
\t\t simplified—forms, and to find a way to banish the bad." Wilkinson adroitly
\t\t places those who recommend exorcisms in tension with those who do not see value
\t\t in the practice. The questions the skeptics raise are obvious but important:
\t\t are people who desire an exorcism really possessed by Satan, or are they
\t\t mentally ill? How does one distinguish a "legitimate" possession from other
\t\t pathologies? This book is certainly not an apologia for exorcisms, but it will
\t\t appeal to those looking for a fascinating history and some thoughtful
\t\t commentary from proponents and skeptics alike.

March 1, 2007
"Los Angeles Times" journalist Wilkinson documents the revival of the rite of exorcism in the Roman Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II and the establishment of the Vatican's Office of Exorcism, headed by priest Gabriele Amorth. She notes that world demand for exorcisms is steadily increasing and points to the hundreds of non-Catholic exorcism ministries that have sprung up in recent years. She further elucidates her history of exorcism and demonology in the Christian tradition with examples of actual exorcisms. Both the rite and its guidelines are well documented; we know, e.g., that women are more likely to request an exorcism than men. But Wilkinson's explanation for this trendnamely, that the devil prefers womenseems to agree too much with the presuppositions of the very phenomenon she is critiquing. This is not a how-to or let-it-be-done book. Wilkinson instead offers many skeptical insights about the practice, and the final chapter includes the critical comments of psychiatrists and psychologists on the dangers of exorcism. Recommended for large public libraries.James A. Overbeck, Atlanta-Fulton P.L.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2007
Wilkinson opens with the powerful image of a seemingly normal, contemporary, 45-year-old woman undergoing an exorcism--a rite most probably associated with a hit novel and movie. Wilkinson portrays it thriving, especially in Italy, which hosts approximately 350 exorcists, a few of whom appear in her exceedingly readable book, as do several of their patients. Like psychotherapy, authentic exorcism isn't "a one-shot deal." Many attempts may be needed "to banish the devil," and while the exorcisms described will chime with " Exorcist" fans, the complete case studies make the book chilling. Wilkinson also discusses exorcism's history and how it is regarded with everything from ambivalence to embarrassment by the Roman Catholic Church today. Still, she points out, it is accepted, sanctioned, and performed "far more commonly than one would expect," and the International Association of Exorcists holds a secret convention in Italy every two years. Indeed, thousands of Italians reportedly seek exorcisms every year. Wilkinson goes so far as to call it a growth industry. Fascinating and full of surprises.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)