The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel

 

Anneliese Michel was a German woman who became famous due to her tragic and controversial case of alleged demonic possession and subsequent exorcism. Her story has captivated the public's attention and has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films.The case of Anneliese Michel is one of the most famous cases of demonic possession in modern history. Anneliese Michel in the late 1960s and early 1970s, began to exhibit strange and disturbing behavior. She experienced fits of rage, uncontrollable vomiting, and hallucinations. She also began to speak in a strange voice and claimed to be possessed by demons.

 Here is a detailed timeline of the events surrounding the case:

1952: Anneliese Michel is born on September 21, 1952, in Leiblfing, Bavaria, West Germany, to devoutly religious parents, Josef and Anna Michel.

1968: Anneliese Michel experiences her first seizure at the age of 16. Medical examinations diagnose her with temporal lobe epilepsy.

1969: Anneliese Michel suffers a severe depression and begins treatment at the psychiatric hospital of Wurzburg University.

1970: Anneliese Michel experiences more seizures and is prescribed anti-seizure medication. She also starts complaining about hearing strange voices.

1973: Anneliese Michel's condition worsens, both physically and mentally. She becomes intolerant of religious objects, frequently exhibits self-destructive behavior, and refuses to eat.

1974: The Michel family seeks help from the Catholic Church. Anneliese and her parents meet with several priests and request an exorcism. However, their request is initially denied.

1975: After numerous failed medical treatments, Anneliese Michel's condition deteriorates further. She becomes convinced that she is possessed by several demons, including Lucifer, Judas Iscariot, Nero, and Adolf Hitler.

June 30, 1975: Anneliese Michel begins a series of exorcism sessions performed by Father Arnold Renz and Father Ernst Alt. Over the next ten months, a total of 67 exorcism sessions take place.

1976: Anneliese Michel's health continues to decline, and she becomes emaciated and weak. She refuses medical treatment and relies solely on the exorcism rituals.

July 1, 1976: Anneliese Michel succumbs to her physical and mental exhaustion and dies in her sleep. She is 23 years old at the time of her death.

1978: Anneliese Michel's parents and the two exorcists, Father Arnold Renz and Father Ernst Alt, are charged with negligent homicide. The trial gains significant media attention.

1978-1979: The trial lasts for almost a year, during which various experts testify about Anneliese Michel's condition and the circumstances surrounding her death.

1979: The court delivers its verdict. Anneliese Michel's parents are found guilty of manslaughter by negligence, while the exorcist priests receive a suspended sentence.

The case of Anneliese Michel continues to be a topic of debate and fascination in the fields of theology, psychiatry, and law. Some consider it a tragic example of untreated mental illness, while others believe it to be a genuine case of demonic possession. The story has inspired numerous adaptations in popular culture, most notably the 2005 film "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," loosely based on Anneliese Michel's life.