Heralds of the Gospel's peculiar "Exorcisms"

by Alfonso

We have published in this blog a series of videos that show Mons. Joao Scognamiglio Cla Dias' own peculiar way of casting out demons from her female followers. 

He uses a method I have never seen before: the constant repetition of a "maledictio" (a curse in latin), punctuated by his own screaming and occasional beating of the girl with either a piece of paper or his own hand. The event typically ends with the girl playing the "possessed" role embracing her leader at the waist and crying her joy of being once again in full communion with him. I have yet to see a similar show performed on a male member of the community. I wonder why. Maybe they won't take a beating kneeling down? Perhaps.

The frequency of these events begs the question: What's going on with these people? For one, I do not believe for an instant that the girls in question are possessed by the devil. They might have psychological or physical ailments (to be expected when you live in a sectarian environment), but these issues can be easily addressed by a medical or mental health professional who would, most likely, recommend a change in life style.

But a change is not an option for those who believe their eternal salvation is pegged to their commitment to this peculiar "cause". So nerves go up, frustration mounts, and the show goes on.

Presiding over it all, Joao Scognamiglio Cla Dias (a couple of years shy of his 80th birthday) lives in luxury the last years of his days on earth. Partially recovered from a severe stroke that a few years back affected his speech and paralyzed his right side, he is well enough now to single-handedly (literally) play the role of Devil Chaser In Chief.

Note that these ridiculous episodes are filmed in high-resolution. In other similar events we can see more than one video and other recording equipment. If we did not know better, it would seem the whole event is staged, and the supposed suffering of the victim is the least important factor in this charade. What we need to understand here is that the goal is not to drive the evil spirit out, but rather to reinforce in the audience and followers of the founder, admiration for their "Venerable Father" or simply "Daddy" as they call him. That is why these events are filmed. So they can be viewed by those not lucky enough to have seen the live event.

As a Catholic, I am ashamed that most of the men shown in these videos are priests of the Church. They have been ordained to the priesthood (some question these "late bloomer" vocations among ex-members of the TFP but that is another story), and one would expect to see what is sorely lacking in these images: humility, charity, love. 

The indifference of the victim´s supposed "sisters" is equally disgusting. Even those tasked with holding her in place have no eyes and no ears but to the "exorcism conductor". They laugh and screen admiringly at every step. No empathy at all for the suffering of the other. Not a flinch at all the beating and screaming. As far as these automatons is concerned, their "sister" is not there. Only a devil to be ignored as they fix their attention to Monsignor Joao.

I compare these girls to orphans. No Mother Church here. The Church authorities, starting with the local Bishop, passing through the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, to the very Pope appear, to date, pleased to keep a blind eye and do nothing to end the spiritual and emotional abuse being dished-out in God's name over these and so many others.

Has the Church learned nothing from recent scandals involving unsupervised founders of religious congregations? Apparently, and sadly... no.