A Pentecostal doctor is under fire after reportedly “religiously grooming” his patient by telling her “God is your surgeon” and casting demons out of her.
Dr. Thomas O’Brien is now in a tribunal with England’s General Medical Council, facing charges of misconduct for using his professional position to influence his patient’s religious beliefs.
The patient reportedly called O’Brien while depressed and suicidal after a painful surgery, according to the Telegraph.
“In the course of that telephone consultation, Dr. O’Brien asked her if she had a faith and she said she didn’t, [so] he told her his wife knew of a different way that could heal her that did not involve medication,” GMC counsel Peter Atherton tells the Telegraph.
O’Brien told the patient to stop taking her medications and seeing her psychologist, telling her all her problems were from the devil. O’Brien reportedly then invited her to church, where he performed an exorcism.
According to the DailyMail, though, O’Brien denies the exorcism allegations, saying they are an attack on his private Christian faith.
“From documents provided by Dr. O’Brien, it appears he and his wife’s relationship with [the patient] was based solely on Christian principles whereas [the patient] believes the gifts and acts of kindness amounted to a form of religious grooming designed to cause division within her family—particularly herself and her partner, and caused her great distress,” Atherton tells the Telegraph.
The DailyMail reports O’Brien has since resigned from medicine and is now a lay Bible teacher.
“I know what went on and what my wife and I did or did not do. Even if they [GMC] did side with me, I know true justice will be done one day and no one can escape from that,” O’Brien tells the DailyMail. “The allegations have been severe enough to break anyone down emotionally and I’m grateful for my faith, which sustained me throughout the ordeal.”
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