The topic of exorcism continues to intrigue the public, fueling movies, books, and theological debates. Although many possession stories are dismissed due to lack of evidence, there are cases that the Catholic Church officially recognized as genuine exorcisms.
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Below, we highlight the three most well-known cases based on historical records and testimonies.
1. The Exorcism of Emma Schmidt (1928)
Known as the “Earling Case,” the exorcism of Emma Schmidt was conducted by Father Theophilus Riesinger, a renowned American exorcist. Emma, a German-American woman, exhibited behaviors considered signs of possession, such as speaking unknown languages and unusual strength.
The exorcism lasted 23 days in a convent of nuns in Iowa, USA, and involved intense events described by witnesses, including supernatural voices and inexplicable physical manifestations. The Church officially recognized this case as a true exorcism.
2. The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel (1975–1976)
Anneliese Michel, a young German Catholic woman, is perhaps the most famous and controversial exorcism case in modern history. Anneliese began exhibiting behaviors considered strange, such as avoiding religious objects, along with severe seizures initially diagnosed as epilepsy.
After years of ineffective medical treatment, her family turned to the Church. Two priests, Arnold Renz and Ernst Alt, conducted 67 exorcism sessions over 10 months. Anneliese’s death, attributed to malnutrition and neglect, led to a trial involving her parents and the priests. Despite the controversy, the Vatican acknowledged the authenticity of her possession.
3. The Exorcism of Robbie Mannheim – The Case That Inspired “The Exorcist” (1949)
The case of Robbie Mannheim, a pseudonym used to protect the young boy’s identity, occurred in Cottage City, Maryland, and St. Louis, Missouri. After using a Ouija board, Robbie began exhibiting inexplicable behaviors, such as objects moving around him and mysterious marks appearing on his body.
The exorcism was performed by Jesuit priests, led by Father William S. Bowdern. The case concluded with the boy’s liberation after weeks of intense prayers and rituals. This case served as the basis for the famous book and movie *The Exorcist*. Documents from the time and witness accounts confirm the event’s authenticity.
The Catholic Church’s Perspective
The Church considers exorcism a rare practice, used only after thorough investigation to rule out psychological or medical causes. The decision to perform an exorcism is made by a bishop based on specific signs, such as aversion to sacred objects, superhuman strength, and knowledge of unknown languages.
Sources:
The Earling Possession Case (Reports by Father Theophilus Riesinger), Anneliese Michel and the Possession Phenomenon (Archdiocesan Reports of Würzburg), Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism – Thomas B. Allen (Accounts of the Robbie Mannheim Case)
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
