h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: How To Perform An Exorcism - A19298820
Author: swl - If you give a mouse a cookie - U1775547

For your delectation & delight - one wot I made up earlier.

didn't I sub-edit this and it was then shelved by the Eds at the Beeb? (Many ago)

Yes, but Auntie isn't here now

I wasn't suffering from a case of deja vu then

I remember it! Very informative.

A few extra words to mention that exorcism is still happening nowadays? (I remember hearing on the radio some 3 years ago a priest aying that exorcism nowadays was "rare, but not unheard of". For a fleeting moment I thought that a time machine accident had sent me back a few centuries )

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/30/134991144/at-vatican-conference-experts-debate-exorcism-satanism-and-the-internet

And a warning that you should always ask for a proper exorcist, and not try that yourself at home if you have no training

Er - some of the humour felt a little bit laboured to me. This is an interesting topic and I don't think it necessarily needs to be gag-a-minute stuff.

Not sure that 'Every Church of England Parish has a resident exorcist on call 24/7 eagerly awaiting your call' isn't a little misleading. Every C of E vicar can theoretically muck in when this kind of issue arises but they don't get special training in it. I believe every C of E diocese (rather than parish) has someone as their official exorcist (in addition to doing other duties), who is required to turn up and assist parish vicars should it be necessary.

(I only know this stuff because my father was a C of E vicar for nearly 40 years and he told me a few stories of his exorcismal activities.)

I think rewriting the entire ritual of exorcism in the entry isn't necessary, I skimmed through it. Summaries of the sections and quotes of key bits would do the trick, I think.

The problem with this having been written and then shelved so long ago is I've forgotten my sources.

Re-reading it, it is veering towards underguide territory though. I'll look at it again over the weekend.

Did you ever have a proper bit of feedback from the Towers as to why this wasn't published, back in 2007?


Apart from that, I agree with the comment that the actual form of the Service that you've included makes it a bit unwieldy. Maybe it would be better with some selected highlights.

And, if this Service is still commonly used - then it makes it factual - so it's Guide material.

Do we have anyone with firsthand knowledge of an exorcism? I'd like to see a quote or two.

I enjoyed reading it - and guess that there are others out there who would also like to know the nitty gritty stuff that the Church gets up to.

Do we need to be careful that those who speak against the entry aren't, in fact, demons possessing souls in order to lower awareness of what can be done?

very good point nbb - I shall have to be especially careful then won't I?

What a pity this wasn't in time to be decided upon before Halloween, it would have been very topical.

Yeah, I've not checked through then currently recommended entries to see what it likely to get put up

your comment "And, if this Service is still commonly used - then it makes it factual - so it's Guide material."

Surely it is factual if it is used at all?