Michael Taylor (Ossett)
Encyclopedia
Michael Taylor, an individual from the British
town of Ossett
, is notable for his alleged demonic possession. Christine Taylor, the wife of Michael Taylor, expressed to the Christian Fellowship Group, of which Michael was a part, that his relationship with the lay leader of the group, Marie Robinson, was more carnal than it at first seemed. Michael Taylor admitted that he felt evil within him and eventually attacked Robinson verbally, who screamed back at him. During the next meeting, Michael Taylor received an absolution
, but nevertheless, his behavior continued to become more erratic. As a result, the local vicar
called in other ministers experienced in deliverance
in preparation to cast out the demons residing within the man. The exorcism
, which occurred on 5–6 October 1974 at St. Thames Church in Barnsley
, was headed by Father Peter Vincent, an Anglican priest of St. Thomas's in Gawber and was aided by a Methodist clergyman, Rev. Raymond Smith.
The exorcism rite, which lasted until 6 A.M. exhausted the priests, who allowed the man to return home. Nevertheless, they cautioned that although they had cast out forty spirits
from Michael Taylor, a few remained, including the demon
of murder.
While at home, Michael Taylor, brutally murdered his wife, Christine, and strangled their poodle
. He was found by a policeman, naked in the street, covered with blood. At his trial in March, he was acquitted
on the grounds of insanity. This case became highly popularised as the "Ossett murder case of 1974."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
town of Ossett
Ossett
Ossett is a market town within the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is located on junction 40 of the M1 motorway, half-way between Dewsbury, to the west, and Wakefield, to the east. In the 2001 census, it was classified as part of the West Yorkshire...
, is notable for his alleged demonic possession. Christine Taylor, the wife of Michael Taylor, expressed to the Christian Fellowship Group, of which Michael was a part, that his relationship with the lay leader of the group, Marie Robinson, was more carnal than it at first seemed. Michael Taylor admitted that he felt evil within him and eventually attacked Robinson verbally, who screamed back at him. During the next meeting, Michael Taylor received an absolution
Absolution
Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This concept is found in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Anglican churches, and most Lutheran churches....
, but nevertheless, his behavior continued to become more erratic. As a result, the local vicar
Vicar (Anglicanism)
Vicar is the title given to certain parish priests in the Church of England. It has played a significant role in Anglican Church organisation in ways that are different from other Christian denominations. The title is very old and arises from the medieval situation where priests were appointed...
called in other ministers experienced in deliverance
Deliverance ministry
In charismatic Christianity, deliverance ministries are activities carried out by individuals or groups aimed at solving problems related to demons and spirits, especially possession. Leaders of and adherents to these ministries emphasize the activities of evil spirits in many physical,...
in preparation to cast out the demons residing within the man. The exorcism
Exorcism
Exorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed...
, which occurred on 5–6 October 1974 at St. Thames Church in Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
, was headed by Father Peter Vincent, an Anglican priest of St. Thomas's in Gawber and was aided by a Methodist clergyman, Rev. Raymond Smith.
The exorcism rite, which lasted until 6 A.M. exhausted the priests, who allowed the man to return home. Nevertheless, they cautioned that although they had cast out forty spirits
Unclean spirit
In English translations of the Bible, unclean spirit is a common rendering of Greek pneuma akatharton , which in its single occurrence in the Septuagint translates Hebrew ....
from Michael Taylor, a few remained, including the demon
Christian demonology
Christian demonology is the study of demons from a Christian point of view. It is primarily based on the Bible , the exegesis of these scriptures, the scriptures of early Christian philosophers and hermits, tradition, and legends incorporated from other beliefs.-Development:In monotheistic...
of murder.
While at home, Michael Taylor, brutally murdered his wife, Christine, and strangled their poodle
Poodle
The Poodle is a breed of dog. The poodle breed is found officially in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, with many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the poodle is highly intelligent and skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding...
. He was found by a policeman, naked in the street, covered with blood. At his trial in March, he was acquitted
Acquittal
In the common law tradition, an acquittal formally certifies the accused is free from the charge of an offense, as far as the criminal law is concerned. This is so even where the prosecution is abandoned nolle prosequi...
on the grounds of insanity. This case became highly popularised as the "Ossett murder case of 1974."
See also
- Clara Germana CeleClara Germana CeleClara Germana Cele was a Christian woman, who in 1906, was said to be possessed by a demon.-Possession:She is said to have been possessed when she was a sixteen year old school girl at St. Michael's Mission in Natal, South Africa. The girl was an orphan of black origin and was baptised as an infant...
- Johann BlumhardtJohann BlumhardtJohann Christoph Blumhardt was a German Lutheran theologian and the father of Christoph Blumhardt.The elder Blumhardt was educated for the Reformed ministry and, after a brief term as executive for a missionary society, became pastor in Möttlingen, an obscure village of Württemberg, southern Germany...
- Anneliese MichelAnneliese MichelAnneliese Michel was a German Catholic woman who was said to be possessed by demons and subsequently underwent an exorcism. Two motion pictures, The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Requiem, are loosely based on Michel's story.-Early life:Anneliese Michel was born on 21 September 1952, in Leiblfing,...
- Robbie Mannheim
External links
- St. Petersburg Times: Exorcism approval rocks Anglicans