Posted on 09/15/2023 9:09:15 AM PDT by Morgana
An autistic 8-year-old boy died while wrapped in sheets during a prayer service held to exorcise the evil spirits that church members blamed for his condition.
The minister who performed the service was arrested in connection with the death, which occurred Friday night at a church in a run-down strip mall.
The mother had been taking her son to Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith three times a week for the last three weeks in hopes of curing his autism, said Bishop David Hemphill Sr.
It was after more than an hour of prayer that a parishioner noticed the boy was no longer moving and called emergency workers, Hemphill said. The boy's grandmother said force was used, an allegation disputed by church members.
"We were asking God to take this spirit that was tormenting this little boy to death," Hemphill said. "We were praying that hard, but not to kill."
Hemphill identified the boy as Torrance Cantrell and the man arrested as Ray Hemphill, his brother and another minister who led Friday's service. David Hemphill said he has not talked to his brother or the boy's mother, Patricia Cooper, since Friday night. Cooper could not be reached for comment.
Police have not released the boy's name but have said they don't believe he was struck. The results of an autopsy also have not been disclosed.
Church members had wrapped the boy in sheets to keep him from scratching himself and others, but he was allowed to sit "any way that he feels comfortable," Hemphill said.
The boy's grandmother said the boy had been restrained.
"They held the boy down, they held him down until ... he went to a smothery grave," Mary Luckett told Milwaukee television station WTMJ.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
“The Church, in her wisdom, has asked that only specific priests be committed to the ministry of exorcism. It is dangerous business and one that has eternal consequences.”
Exorcism is for very holy priests alone.
I believe this incident took place in Milwaukee, unless I’m otherwise mistaken.
“Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith”
Always beware of sects which use more than three loaded terms in their title. They are full of themselves, not God.
I guess, just like Jews carrying the Ark, only Catholics can do exorcisms.
I doubt it was the exorcism. Having Autism he very well might have had undiagnosed heart problems.
“ The mother had been taking her son to Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith three times a week for the last three weeks in hopes of curing his autism,”
Isn’t that like begging? I would think you would ask only once. Did they think perhaps He didn’t hear them the first time?
Thessalonians 5:17: "pray without ceasing"
Regards,
Tightly rapping children in sheets can suffocate them. It’s happened before in various “re-birthing” therapies, calming treatments or calming punishments.
Wrapping, not rapping. Auto-correct will pass nonsense and change sense.
Involuntary manslaughter or murder, choose one. Religious nuts.
“ Thessalonians 5:17: “pray without ceasing”
I do believe that to mean one is to remain in constant communication with the Lord. I also believe sometimes the answer to a prayer is “no”.
The inaudible "no."
Sometimes the answer is "No." Sometimes it's "What, you again?" Sometimes it's "Hell, no!"
Sometimes it's "I'm getting my number changed!"
Regards,
You should get your eyes checked. It’s clearly dated 2003, not 2023.
Yes it can. If memory serves such deaths lead to a ban on licensed providers offering such therapies.
Nothing is allowed to interfere with the narrative
I wonder how people find these old stories
Rapping children is an even more dangerous vocation.
You don't do retail exorcisms. Poor kid. RIP.
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