The newly formed association of exorcists hopes to lend a helping hand to each other to rid the possessed of evil spirits, the Lietuvos Zinios newspaper reports. Church authorities hope the organization unifying the nation's bell, book and candle-wielders will also be able to liaise with colleagues from other countries.
Kurtuvenai town church in the district of Siauliai is visited by several people claiming to be possessed by evil spirits each month. They come in hope of finding and getting help from priest Kestutis Daknevicius. He is one of six exorcists currently operating in Lithuania.
Daknevicius believes that possession by evil spirits in a serious problem nowadays in Lithuania.
'Quite a few people come in hope of receiving help. Maybe there aren't so many real cases of possession among those that turn to us, however the cases of most applicants are really serious,' Daknevicius told the daily.
'There have been some serious cases, wherein the help of a single exorcist is not sufficient, and it becomes necessary to ask for help. The association would be useful in this sense,' the priest said.
The country's Church hierarchy entrusted the Lithuanian Bishops Conference's Standing Committee to approve the statute of the future organization during a sitting a few days ago. The clergy hopes that the exorcists' association will contribute to education and formation of new members.
Exorcists are elected and appointed by bishops according to spirituality and other necessary qualities. They do not undergo any specific education, as the basics of exorcising evil spirits are covered in seminaries.
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