Wednesday, November 11, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 17 Exorcism: Increasingly frequent, including after U.S. protests By David Crary AP National Writer In popular culture, exor- cism often serves as a plot device in chilling films about demonic possession. This month, two Roman Catholic archbishops showed a dif- ferent face of exorcism 4 performing the rite at well- attended outdoor ceremonies to drive out any evil spirits lingering after acrimonious protests. The events9 distinctive character gave a hint of how exorcism 4 with roots in ancient times 4 has evolved in some ways as it becomes more commonplace in many parts of the world. In Portland, Oregon, Archbishop Alexander Sample led a procession of more than 200 people to a city park on October 17, offered a prayer, then conducted a Latin exor- cism rite intended to purge the community of evil. The event followed more than four months of racial justice protests in Portland, mostly peaceful but sometimes fuel- ing violence and riots. On the same day, 600 miles to the south, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone per- formed an exorcism cer- emony outside a Catholic church in San Rafael, where protesters had earlier toppled a statue of Father Junipero Serra.