Malevolent Haunts: The Exorcism Of Anneliese.

I have to admit, I have never been to college. I hold no fancy pieces of paper that states that I am smarter than the average bear, heck I have never even so much as drunkenly stumbled into the halls of higher learning however I do feel that if a person is going to call themselves a responsible paranormal researcher and investigator it is important to have at least a rudimentary understanding of two scientific disciplines. The first being anthropology. When it comes to the ghostly legends of many of the worlds cultures they have gone beyond mere curiosity to being a main component of their spiritual beliefs. In most Asian cultures the belief in ghosts and what they are capable of is closely intertwined with their daily lives. Most temples and villages are believed to have a guardian spirit that can either work in their favor as long as they are properly propitiated or work against them if some offense has been committed. In other words do not mess with the village spirits because they are believed to be capable of making your life a living hell.

However, here in the west we tend toward a more enlightened way of thinking and have shrugged off what we consider to “Superstition” and delve into the psyche of the human using psychology. The mind is a very powerful tool and holds our thoughts, beliefs and intellect however sometimes that powerful tool, as other kinds of tools, can sometimes break and we could lose perspective on what is or is not reality. Centuries before the advent of pop psychology any kind of mental defect was believed to be caused by a dark culprit, a demon if you will that invades the soul and body of it’s victim and bends that person’s will to their own. The victim was oftentimes either subjected to the archaic ritual of exorcism or burned at the stake for being in league with the evil one. These ancient folks did not understand that mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder can cause a person to lose touch with reality. These unfortunate people were not victims of spiritual attacks of demons but rather the demons of their own minds. Thank goodness we live in a more learned age.

However, somtimes there have been instances where the theories of psychology do not seem to be enough and, although rarely, a person does appear to be under the control of something evil and wicked, an inhuman entity who causes that person to experience terrifying visions and aversions to religious or sacred places and things. In 1970, a case in Germany caused many to sit up and take notice and question whether or not something wicked this way comes. Not so much because the young girl may have been possessed by demonic spirits but because the exorcism that was performed on her may have directly contributed to her death.

Anneliese Michel, a young German girl appeared to be like any other teenager of her time. She was intensly involved in her family, her education and was a devout Roman Catholic, however something stirred within Anneliese that betrayed this normalcy. Since childhood Anneliese was victim to various forms of mental illness. Numerous times she was institutionilzed for what appeared to be the onset of schizophrenia, a serious mental disorder that caused her to hear voices that told her to do bad things and have visions of what described as “Devil Faces.” These terrifying visions caused Anneliese to become more devout in her religious faith due her belief that God, in his infinite power could release her from these demonic beings that stalked her.

As the illness progressed, Anneliese became further convinced that no matter how many meds she took and no matter how many stays in hospitals these men of science could do absolutely nothing for her, she was now convinced that her body was abode of evil beings that had taken control of her will and sought her eventual destruction, those who knew Anneliese and her devout beliefs commented on how she was becoming increasingly intolerant of church and sacred objects oftentimes being heard to blaspheme God and Jesus Christ. To Anneliese there was only one thing she could do to rid herself of these evil entities, she would seek out the help of the church and ask that an exorcism be performed on her.

At the request of Anneliese and her parents, the church immediately began an investigation of the young woman to determine whether or not a diabolical influence was at work in the young woman’s life. The two priests who investigated the report came to the conclusion that this young woman was certainly under the influence of an evil outside force and in May of 1976, Bishop Joseph Stangl gave the go ahead to the two priests to perform the Roman Ritual of Exorcism. The ritual would soon change the German peoples perception of the church and it’s role in determining whether or not a person is the victim of an evil entity or the victim of a diseased mind.

The ritual began with the priests approaching the young girl who was secured by her family members in case she became violent as she was known to get. All involved with the exorcism would later claim that they were witness to many preternatural manifestations. Anneliese, seemed to gain an almost super human strength that caused her to flail about injuring some of her family in the process. The two priests claimed that while doing battle the physical characteriscts of Anneliese’s face changed before their eyes into something almost inhuman and gruff demon voices proceeded from her mouth that could not have possibly been faked by the soft spoken young girl. When the exorcism was complete the priests and all involved were convinced that Anneliese was free from her demon attackers however what they did not count on was the morning after. 23 Year old Anneliese Michel was discovered dead in her room.

At the coroner’s inquest, it was determined that the young girl died from malnutrition and dehydration having been deprived of food and drink for several days. When the law read report, Anneliese’s parents and the two priests who performed the exorcism were arrested and charged with the death of the young girl. It would appear that the workings of satan and the miracles of God were to be put on trial by the German justice system.

In 1978, the trial for the murder of Anneliese Michel began and caused a shitstorm of controversy that tested the credulity of the Roman Catholic church. At the trial the two priests claimed that Anneliese Michel was indeed the victim of an invasive diabolical force that caused her to have auditory as well as visual hallucinations. The prosecution would have none of this nonsense and brought forth numerous doctors who went on record as saying that Anneliese was the victim of extreme mental illness that could have treated properly if she took her medication and attended proper counseling. The court agreed with the doctors and convicted all involved of second degree manslaughter. However, instead of sending the Michels and the priests to prison the court basically slapped them on the wrist, they were given a three year suspended sentence and three years of court supervision. Why, who knows.

Was Anneliese Michel possessed by demonic entities that warranted an exorcism? Or was she just the victim of a form of mental illness that got way out of control? Possibly due to this case over thirty years ago the Catholic church has very strict guidelines that must be followed when investigating a claim of demonic possession and is extremely reluctant to prescribe an exorcism. A person who claims to be possessed must first seek professional psychiatric help in the beginning of an investigation. However, if doctors can not figure out the problem and the alleged victim shows marked intolerance of religious articels, the ability to speak in a tongue previously unknown to the victim and poltergeist type of activity is witnessed alongside the persons claims than, and only then, will the church step in and perform the Roman Ritual of Exorcism. If anything the sad and tragic story of the exorcism of Anneliese Michel, should serve as a cautionary tale to all who delve into the nightside of life, just because a person claims to be in contact with the spirit world does not mean they truly are they may just have something amiss in the old melon.

Rick E. Hale

t_seeker@hotmail.com