Roman Catholic Bishop Plans Exorcism Prayers to Protest Gay Marriage

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield said he will offer prayers for "exorcism in reparation for the sin of same-sex marriage" at the same time Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the same-sex marriage bill into law next week.

Paprocki said he will offer the prayers intended to cast out evil at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the state's capital Wednesday.

"It is scandalous that so many Catholic politicians are responsible for enabling the passage of this legislation and even twisting the words of the pope to rationalize their actions despite the clear teaching of the church," Paprocki said in a statement.

This month, House Speaker Michael Madigan cited the pope's renowned "Who am I to judge?" phrase on the House floor to explain the lawmaker's support for same-sex marriage. Pope Francis' remark — "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge him?" — referred to gay men who seek to become priests, not to gay marriage.

Read the rest here.