Requests for exorcisms on the rise in Mexico

Exorcism is here to stay


By Heather Moore / 3TV reporter

While it may sound far-fetched, priests in Mexico are doing their best to keep up with the demand to drive demons from people's souls.

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Father Rafael Baltazar is one of the official exorcists. Priests from all over Mexico City send their afflicted parishioners to him.

He sees people he believes are under demonic influence every week and says he knows they are possessed by their expressions and their screams.

Baltazar says he's felt an overwhelming presence when he commands the devil to leave.

"It makes the hair on my arm stand up," Baltazar said. "It scares me."

So, why are so many more people claiming they're possessed?

Father Pedro Mendoza is the chief exorcist of the Archdiocese of Mexico City.

He gets 15 calls a day from people asking for an exorcism.

"People have lost their faith in God and that allows the devil to attack them," Baltazar said.

He also blames witchcraft, faith healing, psychics and magic for opening the door to the diabolic.

"Everything that is magic is from the devil," he said.

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Even if many believe that evil forces around them are increasing, they are reassured by their belief that Satan is no match for the power of Christ.

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There are 12 exorcists in the United States doing battle with the devil, and recently for the first time in 400 years, the Vatican issued new guidelines for exorcisms with the Pope saying Satan is very real and active in our modern world.