Muslim family ‘haunted by monk’ call priest for exorcism as ‘ghost was Christian’
AN EXORCIST priest has told how he was called upon to cast out a 'ghost monk' haunting a terrified Muslim family because the eerie spectre was a Christian.
Reverend Jason Bray, a parish priest with the title of 'diocesan deliverance minister', revealed the news in rare interview about his job.
"Because they had seen what they thought might be a monk, they felt this was a Christian ghost and therefore they needed a Christian deliverance minister - exorcist, whatever you want to call us- to sort the problem out," Bray said."They were terrified."
The Muslim family were referred to the priest via social services and his bishop's office, reveals today's Sunday Times.
Rev Bray is one of several hundred priests working for the Church in Wales and the Church of England whose job it is to deal with nuisance poltergeists.
He revealed he is called into action around six times a year but insists much of the work turns out to be fairly routine.
MONK WAS 'LOW LEVEL POLTERGEIST ACTIVITY'
The priest also carries out the rite of "major" exorcism - a rare and highly-secretive ceremony when alleged demons are cast out.
Rev Bray, who is based in the Welsh borders, told the paper the monk incident was actually deemed "low-level poltergeist activity".
He said he arrived wearing a stole - coloured cloth worn draped over the shoulders - and "resolved" the problem by saying a blessing and the Lord's Prayer.
However, not all of his call outs turn out to be supernatural.
Rev Bray said: "A lot of the time, it will be people who have mental illnesses of some description.
"If I believe somebody needs a medical review I will say this to them. I do frequently suggest they might see their GP."
The Church of England said: "Deliverance ministry is a distinct and specialist ministry, governed by guidance and only to be provided by clergy with specific training.
"Although the term 'exorcism' is commonly used, especially in films and media, to cover a range of actions, in the Church of England it is a specific - and extremely rare - rite which can only be administered with authorisation from a bishop."
