Priest sentenced for exorcism

A court in the eastern Romanian city of Vaslui has sentenced the Orthodox priest responsible for carrying out an exorcism during which a nun died to 14 years in prison. Three nuns who were found to be his accomplices were each sentenced to five years imprisonment. A crowd of sympathisers demonstrated for the acquittal of the priest while his judgement was pronounced. Writer Ion Vianu comments: "Among the locals you hear many words of sympathy for the accused who, in their view, only did what they had to do. After all, the young woman was possessed by the devil... The Orthodox faith has been able to maintain its hold and status because there is a lack of genuine alternatives in the rural areas of our country and secular forms of culture are not very respected here. Communism has disappeared and in its place remains a deep longing for unconditional faith, leadership, and respected authorities, even if they turn out to be criminals."

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