“And I just finally said to him, ‘Unless you are willing to do this we cannot help you because we’re losing ground’. Recently, a priest was appointed exorcist in the diocese where this guy is and he started up the case again. The priest has had some success.”

Fr Lampert emphasises that only a trained exorcist performs the Rite in cases of actual demonic possession. Any priest can pray for people suffering from attachment, vexation, or infestation on property. And an exorcism can be conducted only if an afflicted person wants it. He relates a case of “perfect possession” in which he could offer an afflicted person’s family no hope.

“There was a gentleman – his family contacted me. They were concerned about him and I went to visit him. He told me that throughout his life he had cultivated relationships with demons and with Satan and that when he died it was his desire to spend eternity with these demons. He said, ‘I know my family is concerned about me, but this is the free choice that I make’.