Chicagoillinois-marriage-equalityillinois-gay-marriageGay Marriage

Gay Marriage Exorcism: Illinois Bishop Plans Prayer Service Opposing 'Evil' Marriage Equality Law

Bishop Plans 'Exorcism' Of State's 'Evil' Gay Marriage Law
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With Illinois' new marriage equality bill set to be signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn next Wednesday, one Illinois bishop is planning to mark the occasion with a ceremony of his own: an exorcism.

Springfield Bishop Thomas John Paprocki announced Thursday he will preside over prayers of "supplication and exorcism" in response to the state's pending legalization of same-sex marriage, which the bishop said "comes from the devil and should be condemned as such" in a statement reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

In a press release, Paprocki criticized Illinois lawmakers for moving to approve the marriage bill this month. He condemned, in particular, Catholic lawmakers -- including House Speaker Mike Madigan -- who cited recent statements by Pope Francis as in line with their support of same-sex marriage and said they are "morally complicit as co-operators in facilitating this grave sin."

“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's statement continued.

Paprocki's statements are in line with the response from the Catholic Conference of Illinois to the marriage bill's passing. The conference said same-sex marriage "undermines an institution that is the cornerstone of a healthy society."

Paprocki's ceremony will be held from 4-5 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield next Wednesday. Meanwhile, the marriage bill-signing event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. the same day.

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Before You Go

Marriage Equality Arrives In Illinois
(01 of23)
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Holding their Illinois marriage license, Vernita Gray, left, and Patricia Ewert smile at friends after they were married by Cook County Judge Patricia Logue, the first gay marriage in Illinois, at the couple's home Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in Chicago. U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, ordered the Cook County clerk to issue an expedited marriage license to Gray and Ewert before the state's gay marriage law takes effect in June 2014, because Gray is terminally ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(02 of23)
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Patricia Ewert, right, caresses Vernita Gray's cheek after their wedding ceremony, the first gay marriage in Illinois, at the couple's home Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in Chicago. U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, ordered the Cook County clerk to issue an expedited marriage license to Gray and Ewert before the state's gay marriage law takes effect in June 2014, because Gray is terminally ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(03 of23)
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Lifelong partners Jim Darby, left, and Patrick Bova kiss before Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality for same sex couples, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. The law takes effect June 1, 2014. Darby and Bova have been together for 50 years and now plan to marry in Illinois. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
(04 of23)
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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law during ceremonies on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. Illinois becomes the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(05 of23)
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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law during ceremonies on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. Illinois becomes the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(06 of23)
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Surrounded by elected officials, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law during ceremonies on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. Illinois becomes the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(07 of23)
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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn acknowledges the applause after signing the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality for same sex couples, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. The law takes effect June 1, 2014. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
(08 of23)
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The signature of Illinois Gov. Patrick Joseph Quinn is affixed to the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law during ceremonies on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. Illinois becomes the 16th state to legalize same-sex marriage. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
Greg Harris(09 of23)
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State and local officials acknowledge state Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, before Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality for same sex couples, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. The law takes effect June 1, 2014. Harris was the main sponsor of the bill in the Illinois House. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
Rahm Emanuel(10 of23)
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Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledges the crowd before Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the state's Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality for same sex couples. The law takes effect June 1, 2014. (credit:AP)
Pat Quinn(11 of23)
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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn takes to the podium before signing the state's Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law, making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality for same sex couples, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. The law takes effect June 1, 2014. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
(12 of23)
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Pens are positioned for Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to use to sign the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law during ceremonies scheduled on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. When Quinn signs a landmark law, he'll be incorporating a piece of Illinois history, signing the legislation at a desk once used by President Abraham Lincoln. According to the event's program, the desk was where Lincoln penned his 1861 inaugural address. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(13 of23)
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A program and an Illinois rainbow flag is placed on a seat for spectators who will witness Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signing the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, during ceremonies on the campus of the University of Illinois Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (credit:AP)
(14 of23)
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Illinois Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, speaks with lawmakers while on the House floor during veto session Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 in Springfield Ill. Harris was the Illinois marriage bill's chief sponsor. AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (credit:AP)
(15 of23)
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Illinois Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, left, is congratulated by lawmakers as gay marriage legislation passes on the House floor during veto session Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, in Springfield Ill. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, top center, looks on. Quinn has vowed to sign the bill into law. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (credit:AP)
(16 of23)
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Illinois Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, is congratulated. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (credit:AP)
(17 of23)
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A banner celebrating the Illinois General Assembly's approval a gay marriage bill hangs above the Sidetrack bar on November 5, 2013 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(18 of23)
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Patrons at the Sidetrack bar celebrate the Illinois General Assembly's approval of a gay marriage bill. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(19 of23)
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Fernando Mojica (L) and Drew Freeman raise a toast with other patrons at Sidetrack in celebration of the Illinois General Assembly's approval of a gay marriage bill on November 5, 2013 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(20 of23)
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Fernando Mojica (L) celebrates with Drew Freeman at Sidetrack after the Illinois General Assembly approved a gay marriage bill on November 5, 2013 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(21 of23)
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Cahontas (L) and Elizabeth Vincent celebrate at Sidetrack after the Illinois General Assembly approved a gay marriage bill on November 5, 2013 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of23)
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Charlie Gurion (L) and David Wilk celebrate at Sidetrack after the Illinois General Assembly approved a gay marriage bill on November 5, 2013 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(23 of23)
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Supporters of the marriage equality bill rally in the rotunda at the Illinois State Capitol during veto session Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 in Springfield Ill. Same-sex marriages in Illinois are expected to begin June 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (credit:AP)
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