Lessons Learned: The Anneliese Michel Exorcism: The Implementation of a Safe and Thorough Examination, Determination, and Exorcism of Demonic Possession

by John M. Duffey

In 1976, a twenty-three year old German girl, named Anneliese Michel, died following months of exorcism sessions. Despite the fact that she had been medically diagnosed with epilepsy and manic depressive psychosis, two priests conducted numerous exorcism sessions and ignored her mental, medical, and physical condition. Doctors would later state that her cause of death was starvation and dehydration. Unfortunately, Ms. Michel's tragic death due to misdiagnosed demonic possession and negligently applied exorcism was neither the first nor the last of such negligence to occur. Complete familiarity with the spiritual elements of demonical possession and attack is the sole focus of most demonologists, exorcists, and clerical members of Christianity. Few clerics have a sufficient understanding of psychiatric conditions that may mimic the symptoms of demonic possession. The result has been catastrophic for many innocent people over the centuries. The overlooking or ignoring of a person's medical and psychiatric condition is the primary culprit behind misdiagnosed possession and botched exorcisms resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Father John Duffey, a New American Catholic priest, exposes the truth behind the young girl's death and renders a standardized approach to properly investigating suspected demoniacal possession, determining the existence of possession, and in the safe execution of exorcism/deliverance acceptable to virtually all denominations of the Christian faith. This book brings psychology, medicine, faith, legality, and safety together for the first time in order to enhance evaluation accuracy, demonic expulsion, wellbeing for the afflicted, and safety for all involved parties.

242 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2011

Reviews

[Jmd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the most honest tellings of the Anneliese Michel Case and the manner in which it was dealt by the Church. He goes further into developing and illustrating a methodology that is safer, makes more sense, and includes both medical science and religion. It is a must read for all theology and psychology professionals and buffs alike. I highly recommend this book. It really opens one's eyes to how fast someone meaning well can kill another through hysteria and illogical application of ritual. Most definitely a good read. It is a bit technical but once I got into it I could not put it down.

[John Kube]

I got over half way through and put it down. Not what I expected from this book at all. It is titled "Lessons Learned ..." but it reads more as a book of how to do an exorcism and what is needed. Yes, these things may have been learned from the poor woman's case, but there really isn't much about her story. I expected more about her and her story.

I found the book from hearing Mr. Duffey on the Astonishing Legends podcast. I enjoyed the interview very much and found Mr. Duffey very knowledgeable of the subject. As they say on the podcast, "If you believe ANY of this at all ..." It just seems too far fetched for me. To each his own I guess.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Not only does it go over Anneliese Michel's exorcism but it gives details on what mental and physical conditions can cause a person to think someone is possessed. It goes over all the elements of exorcism before, during, and after. It turned out to be really informative.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.I got half way through this book and then I put it down.I felt like I was reading a medical book and not about a case of possession so because of that I was bored and I ended up not finishing it.

[Anna]

I read the forward to the book which summarized the authors stance on the matter and it felt wrong.

[Maria Kokkinaki-Tzemanaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting book.clears the atmosphere about these things.

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all honesty, I had no intention of buying and/or looking for books about Christian exorcisms. However, as a Catholic, I have heard of exorcisms that resulted in the deaths of people and I wonder what events took place which took the lives of the victims.

As a Catholic, my belief states there are demonic/evil forces that dwell outside the hearts of people, beings that were never alive like you and I, and I had no clue whether or not other Christian branches had a set of protocols like the very vague Catholic exorcisms have.

I only became more interested after hearing about the book from the podcast, Astonishing Legends, which had episodes about the case of Anneliese Michel.

Reader, even if you don't believe in the supernatural, it is a good book to read, as Father Duffey works though the mess that was Anneliese Michel's case. The "credentials" Father Duffey has makes him an interesting character in general, but it gives him a unique perspective about the case.

For those who believe in the supernatural, this book does take the necessary steps to make exorcisms safe for the inflicted person. It gives strategies of what to do so no more lives are taken at the hands of human beings who warp exorcisms into a death scenario.

For both audience, the books does focus on Anneliese Michel, but the books focuses more on exorcisms. If you hope to get a book only focused on Anneliese Michel or 1/2 of the book being dedicated to her, this is not the book for you. The book uses Anneliese Michel's case in explaining how exorcisms can go wrong and what we can do to correct them.

Either way, Anneliese Michel was just a young girl, 17 (I believe), her life didn't even start when she was killed. Anneliese Michel did nothing to deserve the final moments she experienced and if Father Duffey's book can make exorcism safe that's perfect, which prevent lives from being lost. Let us remember the death of a young girl who should be alive today.