First in Asia: 'Center for Exorcism' to Rise in Makati

A "center for exorcism" will soon rise in the city of Makati, the Archdiocese of Manila announced on Monday, a religious structure which church leaders described as "the first of its kind in Asia, if not the world."

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City was held last May 17 led by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula and Fr. Francisco Syquia, Director of the archdiocese's Office of Exorcism.

"A product of more than seven years of prayers, planning and fundraising, this religious structure will be the first of its kind in Asia, if not the world," the office said in a statement on Monday.

Once completed, the center will house the Archdiocese of Manila Commission on Extraordinary Phenomena, the Ministry of Exorcism Office, the Ministry on Visions and Phenomena Office.

"This center will minister to those in bondage to the devil who are therefore the poorest of the poor and are usually overlooked," Syquia was also quoted in the statement as saying.

Apart from offices of the archdiocese, the structure will also serve as the headquarters of the Philippine Association of Catholic Exorcists, a body directly under the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and affiliated with the International Association of Exorcists.

ALSO READ:

Lord, Should I Get Vaccinated? Religion and Anti-Vax, Explained

Made by the Devil? That and Many Other Vaccine Myths, Busted