History of Catholic Church and the Mentally Ill

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Can anyone tell me if it is true that the Catholic Church separated mentally and physically ill people from society because they believed these people were demonically possessed? My mom made this claim and I tried to explain to her that people from different cultures and faiths around the world probably practiced this at some time or another. However, I went on to explain that more often than not it was Catholics who help the physically and mentally ill when they were cast out.

Thanks!
:confused:
 
I don’t know Church history that well but it is an interesting topic. I keep an eye on this thread. Thanks for bringing it up.
 
Ask your mum to give you the source for her comment and then we can investigate but without a source we can do nothing.

Next thing people will be saying is that Catholicism causes cancer. :mad:
 
When the Church had a larger role in west it was looked on to supply much of society’s institutions. In Western Europe the church was expected to provide education, social services and healthcare.

It is true that the Church ran hospital and psychiatric wards that segregated the physically sick and mentally ill from the rest of society, but this was not a reflection of Church moral teaching, this was an indication of evolving science of medicine.

It is easy for 21st Century people to look back on these early care providers with some disdain, but remember the Church was caring for its flock with care and compassion. It wasn’t until the late 19th Century that the field of Psychiatric Medicine began to flourish. We have come a very long way in the understanding and treatment of the mentally ill.
 
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mrsflash9004:
Can anyone tell me if it is true that the Catholic Church separated mentally and physically ill people from society because they believed these people were demonically possessed?
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That’s the craziest thing I ever heard.

Yinekka is correct, ask for some documentation of this urban legend.

Peace in Christ…Salmon
 
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mrsflash9004:
Can anyone tell me if it is true that the Catholic Church separated mentally and physically ill people from society because they believed these people were demonically possessed? My mom made this claim and I tried to explain to her that people from different cultures and faiths around the world probably practiced this at some time or another. However, I went on to explain that more often than not it was Catholics who help the physically and mentally ill when they were cast out.

Thanks!
:confused:
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It would not surprise me if *some members of the Church *believed that the mentally ill were posessed, and segregated them. There have always been religious nuts who don’t understand what they should and should not be doing in the name of God. But the Church herself has never and will never banish the infirm from society as a matter of moral teaching.
Next thing people will be saying is that Catholicism causes cancer. :mad:
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Yes, but then, what doesn’t cause cancer these days?
 
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