Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Pentecostal exorcisms in London: creative and integrative rituals in a multicultural city

Project description

A closer look at Europe’s exorcisms

Across Europe, a centuries-old practice continues to thrive – the expulsion of demonic entities, commonly known as exorcism. This ritual is ingrained in Pentecostalism, a growing form of Protestantism that has flourished, particularly in Latin America and Africa. While studies have explored the significance of exorcisms in Pentecostalism’s Global South stronghold, little is known about the diaspora of this religious movement to Europe. With the support of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the PENTEX project will study Pentecostal exorcisms within two London-based churches: one representing Latin America, and the other Africa. It will determine the intricate tapestry of these rituals in their creative and integrative dimensions. The project will also shed light on the coexistence of Pentecostals with diverse social groups in London.

Objective

A common practice throughout much of the history of Christianity, the expulsion of demonic entities, also known as exorcism, continues to occur on a regular basis in the capital cities of Europe. These religious rituals are customary in Pentecostalism, a form of Protestantism that grew exponentially in the last century, especially in Lain America and Africa. However, although most of the studies about Pentecostalism in the Global South observe the importance of exorcisms, the literature about this religious movement's diaspora to Europe focuses more on the integration of participants in a migratory context, which leaves a gap in the analysis of these researches. Thus, PENTEX aims to analyse Pentecostal exorcisms in two Pentecostal churches (one from Latin America and one from Africa) in London, United Kingdom, by acknowledging these rituals' creative (in which outside practices are re-signified) and integrative (in which they control and regulated the participants' practices and social roles) features. Furthermore, PENTEX aims to observe the conviviality of Pentecostals with other social groups in London and the role and adaptation of exorcisms in these interactions. PENTEX will also analyse cases of violence in the city that resemble Pentecostal exorcisms, by observing if the churches' spiritual warfare against evil and demonisation may materialize into violence, and how the participants, NGOs that promote human rights, and policymakers understand these cases.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Net EU contribution
€ 175 920,00
Address
OUDE MARKT 13
3000 Leuven
Belgium
Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Partners (1)