Exorcist of The Archdiocese of New York
He first came to prominence in 1991 when he took part in an exorcism in Palm Beach, Florida, which was broadcast on the ABC television program 20/20. He was appointed the chief exorcist of New York in 1992, by Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor. On June 25, 1995 Father LeBar was one of the guests on the Geraldo Rivera television program exploring satanic ritual abuse.
When asked during an interview if he ever witnessed levitation during an exorcism he said, "I myself, have never seen a major levitation in the course of an exorcism. However, in one case in the preliminary investigation, I had a person who rose up above the pews of the church and was suspended there for a few minutes."
He told Spirit Daily at the time of the 25th anniversary release of the film The Exorcist that it, "is about the most accurate portrayal of what can happen at an exorcism that I have ever seen."
Actress Winona Ryder spoke with Father LeBar about exorcisms in 1999 in order to prepare for her film role in the movie Lost Souls in which LeBar was one of the consultants. He even allowed her to view some videotapes of exorcisms he had performed. Performance artist Linda Montano has also done work related to him since he died.
In July 2002 Father LeBar addressed a conference of Roman Catholic exorcists in Rome. He lived and worked in New York State and was assigned as Chaplain of the Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie, a post he has held for almost twenty years.
Read more about this topic: James J. LeBar
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