Nov. 15 (UPI) -- On the same day that Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the state’s same-sex marriage bill into law, Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is preparing to offer “exorcism in reparation for the sin of same-sex marriage.”

Paprocki will be on hand at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield on Wednesday to offer prayers to cast out evil.


According to the diocese, exorcisms can be used on same-sex marriage because the devil can appear “in various forms of opposition to and persecution of the church.”

“It is scandalous that so many Catholic politicians are responsible for enabling the passage of this legislation and even twisting the words of the pope to rationalize their actions despite the clear teaching of the church,” Paprocki said in a statement.

“All politicians now have the moral obligation to work for the repeal of this sinful and objectionable legislation. We must pray for deliverance from this evil which has penetrated our state and our church.”

Paprocki interpreted a remark that Pope Francis made during Argentina’s 2010 debate over same-sex marriage in a very specific way. Francis called it a “‘move’ of the father of lies who wishes to confuse and deceive the children of God,” at the time.

“Pope Francis is saying that same-sex ‘marriage’ comes from the devil and should be condemned as such,” Paprocki said.

[Chicago Tribune]