SIX priests and a layman have been appointed to serve as official exorcists of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma formally installed Msgrs. Frederick Kriekenbeek and Rommel Kintanar; Fathers Andres Rivera, OSA; Mike Fortich, Monico Catubig and Ralph Perez as official exorcists of the Archdiocese.

Palma also appointed Bro. Cedee Ngo, a layman, as minister of deliverance.

Palma installed the seven during a formal ceremony at the St. John XXIII Seminary chapel in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City last Dec. 27.

Of the seven persons appointed by Palma, only Rivera is affiliated with a religious order. He is currently the prior provincial of the Augustinian Order in Cebu.

Following the installation of the seven exorcists, Palma also created the Archdiocese of Cebu Office of Deliverance and Exorcism (Acode), whose task is to address reported demonic possessions in Cebu.

Ngo told SunStar Cebu that priests serving as exorcists have long been present before Palma’s time as archbishop.

During the time of the late Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Kriekenbeek was given authority to conduct exorcisms. But while Kriekenbeek then served as an exorcist of the Archdiocese, his position was never formalized.

Ngo said that with the creation of the Acode by Palma, this gives recognition to the work of church exorcists in combating demonic forces. (JKV)