Hundreds of wannabe exorcists flocked to a week-long course on how to cast out demons - even by mobile phone. More than 200 Catholics, many of them priests, will attend lectures and talks in Rome on Monday on a range of topics as demand for exorcisms skyrockets.
"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Matthew 10:1 (KJV)
EDITOR'S NOTE: Imagine, just for a moment, the sheer theological insanity of 'getting a license' from the Vatican so you can perform exorcisms of evil spirits on people. Well, that's exactly what the Vatican is selling these days, and not only that, you can sign up for courses on how to do it. They will teach you all the very impressive-sounding 'secret prayers' to drive away devils, but you have to speak them in Latin. Need to perform an exorcism but can't be there in person? No problem! The Vatican will teach you how to do it over your cell phone. I'm not joking. Of course, while the Catholic Church pretends to copy the apostles ability to cast to devils (the word 'demon' or 'demons' does not appear in the KJV), they sure don't want to tackle the apostolic gift of complete and immediately healing from all illnesses and diseases. Why not? For the same reason those phony charismatic televangelist faith healers don't ever go to a hospital. It's because their faking it. Ironically, the Catholic Church is so focused on 'casting out demons' but they can't even tell you how to get saved.
Classes include witchcraft in Africa, how to tell the difference between demonic possession and mental illness, and a step-by-step guide to casting out demons.
Cardinal Ernest Simoni of Albania drew strong interest in the first session by citing the use of cellphones in exorcisms. 'They call me and we speak and that's how I do it,' he said after his address.
Cardinal Simoni explained how he would read the prayers of exorcism in Latin over the phone just as he would if performing the lengthy rite in person. Although no official figures were available, Catholic Church officials said the number of demonic possessions was on the rise.
'The number of exorcisms has definitely increased over the years, as the requests to carry out exorcisms has increased,' he said. 'This course is useful because it prepares the priests who carry out exorcisms to have a complete vision, a multi-disciplined view of the situation.'
Father Benigno Palilla, an exorcist for the diocese of Palermo, told Vatican Radio in February that he had performed about 50 exorcisms in the past two and a half years. As well as licensed exorcists, theologians, psychologists, medical doctors, criminologists, and Church historians will also address the course participants.
With a nod to U.S. thriller writer Dan Brown, whose novels such as 'Angels and Demons' often concern the Catholic Church, one lecture is called 'Angels and Demons in Sacred Scripture and the Teachings of the Church'.
Students, who include several dozen women, will receive a certificate, though Ferrari stressed that it would not entitle them to cast out demons. Only priests can perform exorcisms, and only with their bishop's permission or a licence.
Lay Catholics, including women, can be what a course entry called 'auxiliary exorcists,' meaning they can be present at the rite, pray and give moral support to the priest casting out the demon. Cardinal Simoni said exorcisms should only be attempted after doctors are unable to explain the behaviour of a person deemed to be demonically possessed.
'Discernment is important,' he said, stressing several times that he only saw himself as the instrument of a higher power. 'It is Jesus who liberates. It is his power. In all the exorcisms I have done, the Lord has helped me. I am not the great one,' he said.
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