NHS calls in exorcist

[scorpiogirly]

That's correct.

An exorcist has been called in by the NHS to a hospice because of many paranormal incidents and sightings of the ghost of a girl in a red dress, witnessed by staff and also patients.

You'd think there has to be something in this right? And if not, what on earth could be going on?

The Vatican is (1) offering training and (2) bears little resemblance to Catholicism on the ground. Technically every diocese is supposed to have an exorcist, but in practice they don’t. An old family friend in his late 70s is one of only two priests in my home country who is a designated exorcist (others died off years agoand weren’t replaced), and he says he’s conducted precisely two in the last 30 years. The default assumption is that someone is suffering from MH problems.

Superstitious people, often not Catholics, who have seen horror films, think a crack team of Catholic priests is awaiting their call like some kind of Ghostbusters in cassocks. They aren’t.

Irs Norwich...that explains it all.

Yup. 'Oh God are they still getting upset about bloody ghosts? Right chaplain, given they're impervious to reason can you get one of your mates to come in all dressed up and mumble some magic words and chuck a bit of water about? If they really believe the nonsense stories then hopefully they'll believe the nonsense solution too. Yes yes we'll make a donation, take it out of petty cash, it'll ge worth it for a quiet life.'

People unwell and on meds, and ppl having having panic attacks on a night. What a waste of time.

Why was it frightening? Love details!

If anybody is interested, there was an excellent mini series on Netflix called Surviving Death. It examines the phenomena of ghosts from many different angles. Fascinating!

There's only one weak link in the series and that's the (clearly) fraudulent Dutch medium woman.

Why are ghosts never old dinner ladies called Maureen who died in 1973? Nearly always Victorian. Either really young or very old. A long floaty dress often appears.

Mass hysteria?

I had an appointment for an ultrasound in the old Western in Glasgow during the period they were starting to close things down and move clinics up to Yorkhill or the new QEUH. Deserted building, blocked off stairways, empty rooms. It was very spooky, like something out of a horror movie. In that sort of scenario you start expecting to see something spooky even if you don't believe in ghosts.

The ghost at the hospital my mum used to work in was a plain old janitor. She and her friend took their breaks together in a closed off ward, he'd be in there sweeping but never made conversation. They'd both see him at the same time, and thought he was a real person who was a bit rude for not talking. But when they raised it they were told, "don't be silly, why would a janitor be sweeping that ward, its not in use"

I believe in spirits, i've never seen a ghost but have had strange things happen

It’s not the ghosts that hurt you……..it’s the phlebotomist’s who come round wanting your blood 🩸💉🧑‍⚕️🤣🤣

I have a friend who was a catholic priest for many years, he told me he had performed several exorcisms. There are conditions that had to be met, couldn’t go around doing them willy nilly and the person had to have been evaluated by medics and be receiving psychiatric support. But they do them.

Maybe he works somewhere with more superstitious, credulous people?

Wales!

I'm guessing this is a PR stunt.

I believe this is more of a service from the church rather than a money making scheme. I bet the vicar/priest had a great time!

What, for the hospice? COME AND DIE IN A HAUNTED HOSPICE?

Mass hysteria. How embarrassing.

power of suggestion

I remember when I was a student nurse, the South block lifts at the QMC in Nottingham had to have an exorcism

This. I have a friend who is an exorcist (part time). He's a priest who works for a university and most of his 'exorcist' jobs involve 'performing' an exorcism for students who have freaked themselves out using qujii boards or similar. Even he is perfectly honest that it's just an easier solution to get the kids back in their rooms asap to avoid paperwork. He doesn't believe in ghosts and has never seen one.

If it gives people comfort, what does it matter? Ministers of all religions will be regularly visiting the hospice to support and comfort patients and their families. It’s not about science, it’s about people and beliefs.

No, PR message is - "Look at the lengths to which we will go to make our patients and their families happy"

The hospice was built on the old grounds of an abbey. The hooded monk who would appear gave off an air of menace they said.