By Lee Pfeiffer
Father Gary Thomas has a unique distinction in the American Catholic Church: the 57 year-old clergyman is one of the relatively few priests authorized to perform exorcisms. His story and alleged experiences were the basis for the recent film The Rite, with Anthony Hopkins playing his on-screen alter ego. Thomas concedes that most of the seemingly endless parade of people who request exorcisms are simply suffering from emotional troubles. However, he fervently believes that the Devil actually exists and literally inhabits the bodies of specific people. He has plenty of company. Over 40% of Americans believe in literal manifestations of angels and demons. Then again, large numbers of Americans believe the President is a Muslim, illegal immigrant and that the U.S. government has been hiding space creatures in a New Mexico airline hangar for the last sixty years. Nevetheless, Father Thomas' story is compelling, even if you don't give it an ounce of credence. The priest believes that demonic possessions are so commonplace that there should be an exorcist in every parish. Father Thomas is critical of the popular perception of exorcisms that have derived from the 1973 classic The Exorcist. He says he never witnessed spewing vomit or twisted heads. However, he does say that he has personally dealt with possessed people speaking fluently in languages that were unknown to them. I personally believe most disturbances attributed to demonic possession can be explained by proving the person recently ate at an White Castle fast food establishment, but you can form your own opinion by clicking here to read Father Thomas' story.