Exorcism is built into many of Christianity's seemingly simplest rituals, said the Bishop of Lismore, Geoffrey Jarrett, who is also the diocese's exorcist, reports the Northern Star.
Responding to questions about exorcism in the Northern Rivers region in NSW, Bishop Jarrett said things as simple as making the sign of the cross or blessing people or objects with holy water were a form of minor exorcism.
Bishop Jarrett's comments follow comments from Brisbane exorcist Fr Gregory Jordan, who estimates he does an exorcism about once a week on average – many of them on the Gold Coast.
Fr Jordan said he did not know how often exorcisms were done in the Northern Rivers and Bishop Jarrett has declined to say, describing matters relating to the ritual as confidential and something not to be "put out in the public forum for comment".
However, speaking generally on the topic, Bishop Jarrett said major exorcisms were rare and done only "where it is established by appropriate investigation that the victim's claim to be tormented by a demon is really true".
Bishop Jarrett said curiosity in the community about exorcisms had come about "because of a widespread pre-occupation with Satanism and various occult practices".
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