Grace Thompson
The case of Anneliese Michel, a young German Catholic woman, has sparked debates about mental illness and demonic possession. Anneliese, raised in a deeply religious family, began experiencing supernatural occurrences and seizures at 16, leading her community and family to believe she was possessed. Despite initial resistance, priests eventually performed 67 exorcisms, during which Anneliese claimed possession by six demons. She died during the exorcisms, sparking a trial that convicted her parents and priests of negligent homicide. The Catholic Church retracted possession claims, attributing her symptoms to mental illness. Anneliese's case inspired horror films and remains divisive, reflecting the tension between modern interpretations of the Bible and traditional Catholic beliefs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Anneliese Michel |
| Year of Birth | 1952 |
| Age at Death | 23 |
| Year of Death | 1976 |
| Cause of Death | Malnutrition and dehydration |
| Weight at Death | 66 pounds |
| Suffered from | Multiple broken bones, epilepsy, seizures |
| Religious Beliefs | Roman Catholic |
| Possessing Entities | Lucifer, Cain, Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler, Nero, Fleischmann |
| Exorcisms | 67 |
| Duration of Exorcisms | 10 months |
| Duration of Each Exorcism | Up to 4 hours |
| Trial | March 30, 1978 |
| Verdict | Negligent homicide |
| Punishment | Six months in jail, later reduced to three years of probation and a fine |
| Exhumation | Yes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Anneliese Michel's death during an exorcism
Anna Elisabeth "Anneliese" Michel was a German woman who underwent 67 exorcism rites in the year before her death on 1 July 1976. She died of malnutrition and dehydration, for which her parents and the priests who performed the exorcisms were convicted of negligent homicide.
Anneliese had a history of psychiatric treatment and was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy and manic depression (bipolar disorder). At the age of 20, she developed an intense dislike for religious objects and began to hear voices. Despite medication, her condition worsened, and she became suicidal. After five years of psychiatric medication failed to improve her symptoms, Anneliese and her family became convinced that she was possessed by a demon.
In 1975, two priests, Father Ernst Alt and Father Arnold Renz, received permission from the local bishop, Josef Stangl, to perform an exorcism. Over the next ten months, they conducted 67 exorcisms, lasting up to four hours each. During these sessions, Anneliese revealed that she believed she was possessed by six demons: Lucifer, Cain, Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler, Nero, and Fleischmann (a disgraced priest). She physically and mentally deteriorated, injuring herself, drinking her urine, and eating insects. She also broke the bones and ripped the tendons in her knees from continual kneeling in prayer. She slowly stopped eating and, at the time of her death, weighed only 66 pounds (some sources say 68 pounds), suffering from multiple broken bones and pneumonia.
After Anneliese's death, her story became a national sensation in Germany, and the two priests and her parents were charged with negligent homicide. The trial began on 30 March 1978, and doctors testified that Anneliese was not possessed but rather suffered from extreme mental illness stemming from her strict religious upbringing, epilepsy, and other physical health issues. The defense presented recordings of the exorcism, featuring what was claimed to be demons arguing, to justify their actions. Both priests remained convinced that Anneliese had been possessed and that her death freed her. The Catholic Church later retracted its claim that she was possessed and described her as mentally ill.
Why I'm Rejecting My Catholic Confirmation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tapes of bizarre sounds recorded during 70 exorcism visits
Anneliese Michel was a former student teacher at Wuertzburg University, raised by deeply religious parents in the small Bavarian town of Klingenberg. Michel visited the unauthorized shrine of San Damiano in Piacenza and was unable to walk past a crucifix or drink from the water of a Christian holy spring. This led her companion, a family friend, to believe she was suffering from demonic possession.
Michel's parents and the community became convinced that she was possessed and consulted several priests to request an exorcism. The priests declined and recommended medical treatment, informing the family that exorcisms required the bishop's permission. However, Bishop Josef Stangl of Wuertzburg approved the exorcism, and over the next ten months, priests Alt and Renz conducted 67 exorcisms lasting up to four hours each. Through these sessions, Michel revealed that she believed she was possessed by six demons: Lucifer, Cain, Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler, Nero, and Fleischmann (a disgraced priest).
During the trial, tapes were played of bizarre sounds recorded during the 70 visits that the two priests made to the Michel home in the eleven months preceding her death. The tapes captured Michel screaming obscenities at the ancient chants of priests. The exorcism case drew intense interest, and the trial was attended by hundreds of curious spectators. The priests and Michel's parents were charged with negligent homicide, and the Catholic Church later retracted its claim that Michel was possessed, stating that she was mentally ill.
Pope Worship: Catholic Religion Misconception Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Catholic Church's retraction of her possession
The Catholic Church's retraction of Anneliese Michel's possession came about as a result of the trial that followed her death. The trial began on March 30, 1978, and drew intense interest from the public and media. During the trial, doctors testified that Michel was not possessed but instead mentally ill. They stated that the manifestations of demonic possession were a psychological effect of her strict religious upbringing and her epilepsy. Michel had been taking psychiatric medication for five years prior to her death, and her autopsy report listed malnutrition and dehydration as the causes of death, brought on by semi-starvation during the exorcism rites.
The Catholic Church's initial position was that Michel was possessed by multiple demons. Two priests, Father Ernst Alt and Father Arnold Renz, performed 67 exorcisms on Michel over ten months, each lasting up to four hours. They claimed that six demons identified themselves during these sessions: Lucifer, Cain, Judas Iscariot, Nero, Adolf Hitler, and an evil priest named Fleischmann. Bishop Josef Stangl approved the exorcisms, stating that his actions were within church law. However, he later said that he was not aware of Michel's alarming health condition when he gave his approval.
Following the trial, the Catholic Church altered its finding, stating that Michel was mentally ill and not possessed. This retraction was supported by the testimony of doctors during the trial, as well as the autopsy report. The Church's retraction also served to distance itself from the negligent homicide charges brought against the two priests and Michel's parents. While the priests and parents were found guilty, they were given suspended prison sentences and ordered to share the costs of the legal proceedings.
The case of Anneliese Michel has had a significant impact on the Catholic Church and its practices regarding exorcisms. Bishop Stangl stated that in the future, he would only approve an exorcism if the possessed person agreed to the presence of a doctor during the ritual. The case also raised questions about belief in the devil and the use of ancient exorcism rites. Despite the Catholic Church's retraction, Michel has become an icon for some Catholics who feel that modern, secular interpretations of the Bible distort its ancient, supernatural truth. Her gravesite remains a pilgrimage site for small groups of Catholics who believe she atoned for wayward priests and sinful youth.
Why Catholics Cheat But Won't Divorce
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The exhumation of Michel's body
Almost two years after her death, Anneliese Michel's body was exhumed and placed in a new oak coffin. Her family had requested the exhumation, believing that she had been buried in undue haste and that her body had not deteriorated yet. They were allegedly motivated by a nun's vision that Michel's body was still intact.
The exhumation was attended by hundreds of curious spectators, but only the authorities and Michel's parents were allowed to see the body. The family and priests were discouraged from viewing the remains, and photos of the exhumed body were never released. Official reports state that the body showed signs of deterioration consistent with a corpse of that age, but Michel's parents disputed this, claiming it was intact. Her father, Joseph Michel, took a photograph in which a hellish-looking hand can be seen on top of her coffin.
Jesus, Son of David: A Catholic Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Demons: Special Edition [4K Ultra HD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/811NWp+XKaL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Michel's belief she was possessed by six demons
Anneliese Michel was a young, deeply religious Catholic woman from Bavaria, Germany, who began experiencing hallucinations and seizures at the age of 16. After seeking medical help to no avail, Michel became convinced that she was possessed by demons. Michel's family and community shared her belief and consulted several priests to request an exorcism. The priests initially declined, stating that a bishop's approval was required and recommended that Michel continue with medical treatment. However, Michel and her family persisted, and eventually, the bishop approved the exorcism.
Over the next ten months, Michel underwent 67 exorcism rituals, lasting up to four hours each. During these sessions, Michel revealed that she believed she was possessed by six demons: Lucifer, Cain, Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler, Nero, and Fleischmann (a disgraced priest). She died on July 1, 1976, with an official cause of death listed as malnutrition and dehydration, as she had refused to eat or drink for a year.
The case of Anneliese Michel gained widespread attention, with some Catholics believing in her possession while others debated her mental health. Michel's parents and the priests involved were charged and convicted of negligent homicide, serving jail time and probation. The Catholic Church ultimately retracted its claim of possession, stating that Michel was mentally ill. The story of her exorcism inspired several horror films, including "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "Requiem".
The debate surrounding Michel's case highlights the complex intersection of religion, mental health, and cultural beliefs. While some believed she was truly possessed, others attributed her experiences to a combination of her strict religious upbringing and underlying mental health issues. The impact of her story continues to resonate, leaving a lasting mark on popular culture and sparking ongoing discussions about the nature of possession and the complexities of mental illness.
Europe's Catholic Population: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Doctors testified that Michel was mentally ill and suffered from epilepsy. The Catholic Church also retracted their claim that she was possessed and described her as mentally ill.
Yes, Michel believed she was possessed by six demons: Lucifer, Cain, Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler, Nero, and Fleischmann (a disgraced priest).
Michel died of malnourishment and dehydration after undergoing 67 exorcisms in a span of 10 months.
![Demons 2: Special Edition [4K Ultra HD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81iSZPU7vlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Demons [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71qahRvUsBL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
