Priest Confirms Exorcism Video Is Authentic

On Feb. 19, a shriek-filled video was posted to YouTube. What made this one noteworthy: It supposedly captured an exorcism that took place in the Czech city of Vranov nad Dyji. Now, a Catholic priest at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary church confirms the video is authentic. "We were asking God to protect and to liberate the person. We used a Latin prayer asking for ... help," says Marek Dunda. The video was reportedly shot through a keyhole in a door at the church and captures people surrounding a woman near the altar.

"If something is filmed through a keyhole, there is nothing more to say about it," says Dunda, who the Daily Express reports has a mandate to carry out exorcisms. The New York Daily News reports that Daniel Trochta, a resident of the city, went to the church after hearing screams and shot the footage; he recommends those who watch the 1:49 video wear headphones while doing so. This summer, the AP reported that the Vatican formally recognized the International Association of Exorcists, a group of 250 priests in 30 countries who liberate the faithful from demons. Exorcisms have been occurring with some frequency in Mexico; last year, one exorcist said they were being performed almost daily. (It's been quite the week for secret videos.)