Exorcise That!

Last November, 12 clergy in full regalia—accompanied by acolytes with candles, crosses, holy water, and faith—processed to the federal building in Portland, Oregon, to perform a "social exorcism" of the executive branch of the United States government. The group sprinkled holy water and prayed the Lord's Prayer at the four corners of the federal building. "However one names such collective spiritual afflictions, the biblical remedy is prayer," said Rev. Gabrielle Chavez of Portland's Christ the Healer United Church of Christ. Service participants prayed for the executive branch to be freed from "certain mass delusions and addictions interfering with rational purpose and choice as it steamrolls towards invading Iraq."