PoliticsPoliticsexorcismJohn Zuhlsdorf

Wisconsin Priest Who Held Voter Fraud Exorcisms Leaves Diocese

Church officials said the Rev. John Zuhlsdorf didn't have permission to conduct exorcisms related to “partisan political activity.”
AP

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A priest who livestreamed exorcisms aimed at rooting out what he, former President Donald Trump and some Trump supporters have falsely claimed was widespread voting fraud in the presidential election has left a Roman Catholic diocese in Wisconsin.

The Diocese of Madison said it and the Rev. John Zuhlsdorf reached a mutual decision on his departure. Zuhlsdorf will relocate from the diocese ”to pursue other opportunities,” the diocese said in a statement earlier this month.

“The Bishop of Madison is grateful to the Reverend Zuhlsdorf for his faithful support of the diocese’s seminarians and priests, thanks him for his many years of steadfast ministry serving the diocese, and wishes him the best in his future endeavors,” the statement said.

Zuhlsdorf did not immediately respond to a phone message and email Tuesday seeking comment.

Zuhlsdorf claimed he had permission from Madison Bishop Donald Hying to conduct the exorcisms. Hying said, however, that he didn’t give Zuhlsdorf permission to conduct exorcisms related to “partisan political activity,” but rather approved an exorcism for “alleviation from the scourge of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Recordings of Zuhlsdorf’s exorcisms have since been removed from YouTube, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops defines an exorcism as “a specific form of prayer that the Church uses against the power of the devil.”

Diocese spokesman Brent King described Zuhlsdorf’s role as that of a “freelancer” and he was not an employee of the diocese or a parish.

 

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Exorcism in Mexico City
Exorcism in Mexico City(01 of13)
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A Mexican woman screams intensively during the exorcism rite practiced at the Church of the Divine Saviour in of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. Exorcism is an ancient religious technique of evicting spirits, generally called demons or evil, from a person which is believed to be possessed. Although the formal catholic rite of exorcism is rarely seen and must be only conducted by a designated priest, there are many Christian pastors and preachers performing exorcism and prayers of liberation. Using their strong charisma, special skills and religious formulas, they command the evil spirit to depart a victim's mind and body, usually invoking Jesus Christ or God to intervene in favor of a possessed person. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(02 of13)
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A Mexican girl prays during the exorcism ritual performed at the Church of the Divine Saviour in of Mexico City, Mexico, May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(03 of13)
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A Mexican woman prays during the exorcism ritual practiced at the Church of the Divine Saviour in of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(04 of13)
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A Mexican woman fights with demons during the exorcism ritual performed at the Church of the Divine Saviour on outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(05 of13)
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The priest Hugo Alvarez performs the exorcism ritual on a faithful at the Church of the Divine Saviour in Mexico City, Mexico, May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(06 of13)
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A Mexican woman vomits during the exorcism ritual performed at the Church of the Divine Saviour in of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(07 of13)
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Pastor Hugo Alvarez performs the exorcism ritual on a follower of the Church of the Divine Saviour in Mexico City, Mexico, May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(08 of13)
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Pastor Hugo Alvarez examines an idol during the exorcism ritual at the Church of the Divine Saviour in Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(09 of13)
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A Mexican woman screams intensively during the exorcism rite performed at the Church of the Divine Saviour in of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(10 of13)
Open Image Modal
A Mexican pastor examines feet of a girl before the exorcism ritual at the Church of the Divine Saviour in Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(11 of13)
Open Image Modal
Pastor Hugo Alvarez performs the exorcism ritual on a faithful at the Church of the Divine Saviour in Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(12 of13)
Open Image Modal
A Mexican woman fights with demons during the exorcism ritual performed at the Church of the Divine Saviour on outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
Exorcism in Mexico City(13 of13)
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A Mexican woman struggles during the exorcism ritual performed at the Church of the Divine Saviour on outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico May 31, 2011. (Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images) (credit:Jan Sochor, Latincontent / Getty Images)
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