A bishop who tried to exorcise the Governor of Illinois over his support for same-sex marriage will open the new session of Arizona’s state legislature.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois has been selected by the Catholic Church’s Phoenix Diocese to speak at the Mass before the opening of the legislative session.

Equality activists have reacted with shocked at the choice – as Paprocki last year attempted to perform a long-distance exorcism on Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, when he legalised same-sex marriage.

During the exorcism, Paprocki conducted “”prayers of supplication and exorcism in reparation for the sin of same-sex marriage”.

He said: “Be gone Satan, father of lies, enemy of human salvation. Give way to Christ, in whom you found no trace of your works.

“Give way to the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic church, which Christ himself won by his blood.”

A number of lawmakers reportedly plan to boycott the Mass over the bishop’s attendance.

A spokesperson for the diocese defended the choice, telling East Valley Tribune: “He’s a vocal defender of traditional marriage and conscience rights and he’s very outspoken.

“I think he’s going to make a great homilist for the Red Mass.”