Philippines to open exorcism center, the first in Asia

The Archdiocese of Manila's plans for the center come as the Philippines has recorded an increase in cases of possession in recent years.

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The Archdiocese of Manila has broken ground on a new facility that will house and host the works of Catholic exorcists. The center will be called the Saint Michael Center for Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism and it will become the headquarters of the Philippine Association of Catholic Exorcists (PACE).

In a Facebook post shared by the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism, it was noted that the building comes after seven years of planning. It will be the first exorcism center ever erected in Asia. Rev. Fr. Francisco Syquia, Director of the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism, commented at the ground breaking:

“This Center,” said Fr. Syquia, “will minister to those in bondage to the devil who are therefore the poorest of the poor and are usually overlooked.”

According to the Catholic Herald, Syquia noted that the Philippines has recorded a “sharp increase” in cases of possession in the last five years.

Facility

Along with the new PACE headquarters, St. Michael Center will house the Archdiocese of Manila Commission on Extraordinary Phenomena, the Ministry of Exorcism Office, as well as the Ministry on Visions and Phenomena Office. The center will also contain a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels.

The archdiocese notes that along with ministering to individuals identified as under demonic possession, they hope the center can educate and train future exorcists. Only Catholic priests who have undergone intensive training and have received approval from their bishop are permitted to perform exorcisms.

The groundbreaking was held on May 17, but they have not indicated when the construction will be completed. Follow the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism on Facebook to see all the updates on the work.