Anti-'gay' exorcism
probed as hate crime

Police in Minnesota are investigating an informal exorcism aimed at homosexual Catholics as a possible hate crime, after thousands of dollars damage was done to a local church.

The informal exorcism at the Cathedral of St. Paul this month left oil and salt all over the house of worship, and cleanup crews reportedly worked three days to remove the damage, scouring doors, steps and boxes.

According to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, the damage was discovered Nov. 7 after the noon Mass, and after words were exchanged between members of the Rainbow Sash Alliance, a homosexual rights group, and the opposing group, Catholics Against Sacrilege.

The organizations have a dispute over homosexuals participating in communion, one of the holiest rites in the Catholic Church.

The rector of the cathedral, Rev. Michael Skluzacek, said he immediately understood the symbolism when informed of the salt and oil all over the church.

"It's a sign of exorcism," he told the paper. "It's a sign of casting out the power of evil."

He says the vandals thought the ritual would make the church holy again.

"Regardless of why they did it, it was a very disruptive act," Skluzacek said.

St. Paul Police were informed of the incident, and are now investigating the matter.

"It does have an element of hate and bias to it," police spokesman Paul Schnell told the Star Tribune.

Some local residents have speculated the exorcism is likely the work of "fringe Catholics" who use holy objects to cleanse places where homosexuals receive communion.

"I don't know who did it," said Dr. David Pence, a member of Ushers of the Eucharist. "I do know that some people have used sacramentals to engage in some kind of holy war against people. Nobody wants to see church property damaged in the name of an exorcism."