Exorcism Isn't Covered, Insurer Insists

Monday, June 07, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS (CN) - An insurance company insists it has no obligation to cover injuries suffered during an "exorcism" by members of the City Church for all Nations. Cincinnati Insurance claims an autistic church member was restrained and assaulted until he vomited blood during the "exorcism."

The City Church for all Nations fka Cherry Hill Church (CHC) "operated a college ministry, which it called a 'school of theology,'" near Indiana University in 2007, according to the federal complaint.

"CHC made available its parsonage where 'students' in its 'school of theology' could pay rent and reside in the parsonage during their participation in the program," the insurer says.

It claims that defendant Edward Uyesugi II was not a member of the CHC staff but only attended services there and volunteered as an usher. He also did odd jobs for defendant Mary Lou Raby, whose autistic grandson and ward, Jacob Raby, are both defendants in this case.

The insurer claims that Uyesugi told the grandma that her grandson "could be cured of his autism by having 'the demons' cast out of his body."

She told Uyesugi to go ahead, and he performed the exorcism with help from Aaron Raby, who restrained Jacob while Uyesugi assaulted him, the insurer says.

During the exorcism, Uyesugi "repeatedly struck [Jacob] on the chest, commanding 'the demons' to leave [Jacob's] body,'" according to the complaint.

Uyesugi also "put his hand down Jacob's throat, claiming that 'demons' were inside causing Jacob to vomit blood," the insurer says.

And he struck Jacob in the face while Aaron restrained him, according to the complaint.

A Monroe County jury convicted Uyesugi of felony battery and criminal confinement, Cincinnati says. It wants to wash its hands of all of them - the church, Uyesugi and all the Rabys. It is represented by Andrew Miller with Starr Austen & Miller of Logansport, Ind.

From: http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/06/07/27852.htm