International Football - Priest performs exorcism at stadium

Eurosport - Fri, 23 Oct 12:59:00 2009

A Roman Catholic priest has taken extreme steps to improve his favourite football team's results, performing an exorcism at their stadium.

2009 Genk lift the Belgian Cup - 0

Belgian side Racing Genk have won only two of 11 games this season, and find themselves just one point above the relegation zone.

The Belgian Cup holders' poor run of form roused Don Angelo, and Italian clergyman of over 30 years, into action.

He performed an exorcism at the club's Cristal Arena in an attempt to "drive the devil out", pouring holy water onto the pitch.

Don Angelo said fans should not expect miracles, but hoped players could take to the field with less fear.

On the day of the exorcism, club president Harry Lemmens resigned.

The move has prompted a negative response from some church representatives, including Cardinal Godfried Danneels, the Archbishop of Brussels.

Cardinal Danneels said: "I imagine that some Catholics have got the wrong idea."

Alex Chick / Eurosport

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  1. good man, he may have only blessed the ground, anyway­ as one commenter put it, a blessing is better than a­ curse, its not gamblng, anywhere you drive out evil,­ IS GOOD.. ps Roy Keane could do with this guy, instead­ of the witch who said that the ground was cursed by­ Celtic druids, bring him Over to the CORKMAN!

    From maisie, on Mon 26 Oct 4:18AM

  2. Enthusiasm without knowledge is what this priest has­ demonstrated. Let him study 2 Tim.2:15. God Almighty­ please help him, in Jesus' name,Amen.­ Goodboy,Nigeria.

    From SoBarikor, on Sun 25 Oct 6:32AM

  3. We definately need one @ Anfield urgently and before­ the Man United game. What do you say Rafa? One who­ speak Spanish perhaps would be ideal to avoid­ confusion! HA HA HA HA AHA AHAHHA HA !!!!!

    From Lewis, on Sun 25 Oct 3:20AM

  4. How a priest doing exorcism for a gambling team to win­ anfair money for their player, is it what the Almighty­ asked as? remember priest gambling is not allowed in­ any divin religion only people wasting their time and­ money Iam telling this priest to fear none only the­ Almighty.

    From kamal, on Sat 24 Oct 10:06AM

  5. Cecilia, You are so right. Handbag bribes to fatcat­ wives, Misinterpreting a priests actions - not really­ very nice.
    I dont think the team are alone when at 5­ minutes to the end of any match the teams supporters­ hush in silent appeals to which ever deity they­ follow.
    It's just anything for a headline and has­ been seized upon by purile minds to mock.
    Both on this­ comment area and the other re: handbags it is glaringly­ obvious that to be a woman and to have an opinion­ regarding anything to do with the male dominated clique­ is a no no. Maybe because certain males use it as an­ outlet for all things slighty underhand, shouting foul­ language, heckling women, virtually everything apart­ from the tarzan cry of the jungle as they grab­ (hopefully) their own crutch.
    I love the roar of the­ greasepaint and the smell of the crowd myself, but what­ is a skilled and highly tactical game, is literally­ turned into a three ringed circus. Crazy.

    From FRANCES B, on Sat 24 Oct 9:56AM

  6. It is nnot right to mock a a catholic priest. Why is it­ mad for a priest or any clergy to bless a football­ ground? Surley to bless someting is better to condemn­ it.

    From ELIZABETH, on Sat 24 Oct 9:43AM

  7. 13/ Stupid? Yes, but maybe your English needs­ improving!!

    From Ex forces, on Sat 24 Oct 9:00AM

  8. At first I thought it is a jock or hugs information but­ thinking serious about it, it proves me right the world­ has gone mad.

    From Amigal, on Sat 24 Oct 8:32AM

  9. A priest catholic priest holding a rosary in his hand­ is not performing exorcism. To give a blessing for the­ safety of the players and the crowd is a better way to­ say it. What on earth do they need a priest in football­ grounds. These players earn millions just kicking ball.­ Please don't mock a catholic priest. We all have­ different religions and beliefs but we worship the same­ almighty in different ways.

    From Cecilia, on Sat 24 Oct 8:30AM

  10. Sounds like advert for 'miracle grow ' but will­ it get to the 'root ' of the problem .

    From Joe, on Sat 24 Oct 8:29AM

  11. do us a favour and dont do that on our pc/laptops.

    From Helen, on Sat 24 Oct 8:17AM

  12. What's wrong with 2 wins in 11? Us Tractor boys­ have none in 13 (15 if you include the cup games)! All­ we need is a bit of patience and to keep playing the­ game the right way. It's not about better players­ but getting the best out of the ones we have got. And­ making sure that if Keano does get any more players­ they are better than the ones we already have!!!

    From npthomas31, on Sat 24 Oct 8:15AM

  13. i would like to know, what were the exact words the­ priest had spoke regarding his performent ?
    belessing­ house, blessing car, blessing of the sick­ ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    nothings wrong­ ?????????????????

    From Kai, on Sat 24 Oct 7:05AM

  14. i would like to know, what were the exact words the­ priest had spoke regarding his performent ?
    belessing­ house, blessing car, blessing of the sick­ ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    nothings wrong­ ?????????????????
    everyone can do everyything ,as long­ as no harm to everyone else ?

    From Kai, on Sat 24 Oct 7:04AM

  15. send him up to st james park and get rid of mike ashley­ and bring back the good times

    From Stephen, on Sat 24 Oct 3:16AM

  16. Futile.The team should just practice get new uniforms­ and better players. I can offer to be a part time­ coach.

    From ongalofred, on Sat 24 Oct 3:10AM

  17. one preist required

    job description: excorcism of­ celtic park. experience in miracles preferred

    From kieranbannerman, on Sat 24 Oct 1:32AM

  18. Why does anybody want a Priest to bless a football­ pitch. It's not the pitch that needs blessing,­ it's the Players that need blessing. If they have­ only won 2 games out of eleven, then they need more­ practice, as well as a blessing.

    From Dawn, on Sat 24 Oct 1:31AM

  19. You cant move for priests at porkheid what are you­ needing another one for Micheal?.

    From garypucketsandy, on Sat 24 Oct 12:38AM

  20. do not need him at anfield as we are just pure @#$%­ this season

    From sportmad, on Sat 24 Oct 12:04AM
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