He should have done the purging sooner than later. The fact he is not a faithful or religious person is feeding the toy.
Putting up crosses and splashing holywater like this is some B-movie and not believing these things will actually help is part of the problem.
How many of us only think of doing these things because they're desperate and they saw it in a horror movie, and not because they truely believe in the light? The fool.
He's a weak-minded, timid, easily frightened fool. He admitted it himself, and he is easy prey for whatever is controlling this toy.
There are so many other things he could have done that he's not even considering. Things that go beyond mere exorcisms. I don't want to talk about it though, because then you'll think I'M crazy (if you don't already).
Then again, this could be a really well planned prank. Its very possible. I give this the same ammount of due credit as crop circles and cattle mutilations. People can't prove aliens did those things, but the way they were pulled off and done don't make any sense. That is...until you actually investigate and stop the awe-struck wondering.
There is an explaination for this. Its simple, if its true. The toy is being used as a medium, since, as the so called priest pointed out, only living matter can be possessed. Things like the Chucky movies are not physically possible. Objects CAN be manipulated by forces by they cannot be possessed.
I could go into a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNG lecture about this, but I won't, I just don't want to.
I suggest talking to it and asking it why it's doing this. He mentioned that it said "please come home daddy". It could be a lost soul using the toy to communicate with him, and it's throwing temper tantrums because it's not getting it's way.
He's right about one thing- do not humor the creature by being afraid or give it credit for your suffering. Rather, ask it it's name. If it refuses to tell you, then its clear what it is and there are steps to take to combat it.
Sending it to other people is the most irresponsible thing to do, and while he admits that in a seemingly cowardly tone, it could just be part of the act, if it is one. If it is not, then what I've said stands.