The Tanacu Exorcism

In early 2005, in the heart of an Orthodox convent in Romania’s impoverished northeast, 23 year old nun, Maricica Irina Cornici, found herself in a literal and figurative dark place. She was allegedly possessed and the only solution was exorcism, according to the lead monk at her monastery. But when things went awry, who was to blame?

Show Notes


Trigger Warning: talk of suicide, sexual abuse, mental health, and religious influences.


After a botched exorcism supposedly resulted in Cornici’s untimely death and a controversial murder trial associated with members of the Orthodox Romanian Church, there were many questions. Who was at fault for her death? And a decade after her death, why was she exhumed? Why did no one report the substance found in her system during the delayed investigation into her cause of death? Was she truly possessed?

References

Meisfjord, Eric (Aug. 5, 2020). “THE TRUTH BEHIND THE EXORCISM OF ROLAND DOE, INSPIRATION FOR THE EXORCIST,” Grunge.com, retrieved from: https://www.grunge.com/233543/the-truth-behind-the-exorcism-of-roland-doe-inspiration-for-the-exorcist/

AP reporter (June 24, 2005). “Nun Dies After Convent Exorcism,” CBS News, retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nun-dies-after-convent-exorcism/

AP reporter (Feb. 19, 2007). “Romanian Priest Gets 14 Years for Killing Nun in Exorcism,” Fox News, retrieved from: https://www.foxnews.com/story/romanian-priest-gets-14-years-for-killing-nun-in-exorcism

Editors (April 8, 2020 – last edited). “Tanacu exorcism,” Wikipedia, retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanacu_exorcism

Scally, Derek (June 20, 2005). “Inquiry into crucifixion of Romanian nun,” The Irish Times, retrieved from: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/inquiry-into-crucifixion-of-romanian-nun-1.457832

Lowe, Sonya (n.d.). “Transcript: 112. The Exorcism of Irina Cornici | Romania,” The Evidence Locker Podcast, retrieved from: https://evidencelockerpodcast.com/transcript-112-the-exorcism-of-irina-cornici-romania/


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Researched, Written, Edited & Produced by Gabi Fiore

Music by Dan Moretti