As for the incident in the office, I’m so happy someone let the man in. We have a duty to assist our fellow man, whether convenient or inconvenient, in season or out of season. Office hours or not. I know priests who get knocks on their door at all hours of the night, and never hesitate to answer it.

As for what was done in the office, you’re right, the priest should have waited for your mom. I know that exorcists usually consult with the ‘victim’s’ (for lack of a better word) doctors or a doctor before doing an exorcism. But he did the best he could. As for the woman gossiping about what goes on behind closed doors in the office, the priest should know about the gossiping and the woman needs a reprimand. I once divulged privileged information, though the situation merited it, and was reprimanded. A seminarian from outside the country was being removed from our parish for passport reasons, and the daily mass coordinator was expecting him to do the reading that day. I told her that he wouldn’t be there, and she asked why, and I told what I knew. The priest, rightfully, told me to cease telling this news, as it was private. At least I wasn’t gossiping!

Maybe a homily about convenient/inconvenient has a right place…God bless.

I know a schitzophrenic woman with a psychosomatic (sic?) cough, and she’s been kicked out of churches before for something she can’t control.