It is never wise to play games with Satan, and this is why the local Catholic archdiocese in St. Louis, Missouri denounced the live exorcism broadcast on Friday night on cable television by Discovery Communications' Destination America.
"Any attempt to use the solemn Rite of Exorcism as entertainment exposes all participators to the danger of future hidden satanic attack," Bishop Robert Hermann told TIME. "We cannot play games with Satan and expect to win."
Because of their strong stance against the live programming, the bishop made it clear that "anyone involved in this production who claims to be a member of the Catholic clergy is not affiliated with the Archdiocese of St. Louis nor are they operating under the authority of the Vatican."
The two-hour programme, called "Exorcism: Live!," airs on Friday night. Destination America executives earlier said they would treat the house and process of exorcism with great respect.
"Trying to convince people this house is still haunted is the most important part," said show developer Jodi Tovay, who at 16 years old witnessed her youth pastor perform an exorcism on their church chaperone who was possessed during their trip to Mexico.
According to Tovay, their chaperone was already acting strangely, contorting his body and speaking profanity. "It was weird to see somebody act like that," she said.
The first hour of the show will focus on the history of the house and recall the original exorcism of a teenage boy named "Roland Doe" that took place during the 1940s. The Tennessee Wraith Chasers, who starred in "Ghost Asylum," will then conduct a ghost hunt.
For the second hour, psychic and medium Chip Coffey will conduct a séance, after which a live exorcism follows.
James Long, who is the archbishop of the United States Old Catholic Church (although not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church) is taking charge of the ritual.
