Priest and nuns sentenced to prison after botched crucifixion/exorcism

A priest and four nuns were sentenced to prison yesterday for their roles in the death of a nun during an exorcism to rid her of "the devil," Ireland Online reported today.

Sister Maricica Irina Cornici, 23, who was being treated for schizophrenia, said she believed the devil was talking to her.

Daniel Petru Corogeanu, a monk who served as the priest for a secluded Holy Trinity convent in northeast Romania, and four other nuns, chained Cornici to a cross in an attempt at exorcism.

She survived several days without food or water, but died of dehydration, exhaustion and suffocation.

"God has performed a miracle for her, finally Irina is delivered from evil," the priest told reporters back in June, 2005 when this crime occurred.

"I don't understand why journalists are making such a fuss about this. Exorcism is a common practice in the heart of the Romanian Orthodox church and my methods are not at all unknown to other priests," Father Daniel added.

What is it about religion that makes people so damn crazy? How do certain illogical beliefs become so all-encompassing that you'll willingly place yourself in a position to kill like this, or to be killed like this?

Image: Father Daniel Petru Corogeanu

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