Practical help for the demon-possessed: Vatican rolls out new exorcism course [CNA]

[CNA_News]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/i..._Flickr_CC_BY_NC_SA_20_CNA_11_5_14.jpgVatican City, Apr 10, 2015 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- This month the Vatican will gather a wide range experts in the field of exorcism with the aim of shedding light on demonic possession from both theological and scientific perspectives.

The annual course, “Exorcism and Prayer of Liberation,” is designed for priests and lay persons interested in learning how to recognize a case of demonic possession when they see one – and what to do about it.

This year’s session will run from April 13-18 at Rome’s Regina Apostolorum University, and will feature interventions by a wide range of experts in the field of exorcism from priests – including practicing exorcists – medical professionals, psychologists lawyers, and theologians. It’s sponsored by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy and organized by the Sacerdos Institute.

According to Breitbart News Network, one of the primary objectives of the course will be to help priests and lay people distinguish demonic possession from psychological or medical conditions.

The sessions will also examine a series of other related issues, including occult practices, Satanism, and nihilism among young people.

Pope Francis has frequently warned against thinking of the devil as merely “a myth, a figure, an idea, the idea of evil.”

“The devil exists and we must fight against him,” the Pope said in an Oct. 30 homily, adding that the battle against temptation is not with small, trivial things, but with the principalities and ruling forces of this world, rooted in the devil and his followers.

In a separate homily, the pontiff stressed the importance of knowing how to discern the presence of evil in our lives.

Catholic experts have noted that occult activity and the resulting need for exorcisms has reached a critical level.

The International Association of Exorcists (AIE) met for their 12th annual conference in Rome last October. According to AIE spokesperson Dr. Valter Cascioli, an increasing number of bishops and cardinals asked to participate in the conference due to an increase in demonic activity.

“It’s becoming a pastoral emergency,” Cascioli told CNA. “At the moment the number of disturbances of extraordinary demonic activity is on the rise.”

The rise in demonic activity can be attributed to a decreasing faith among individuals, coupled with an increase in curiosity and participation in occult activity such as Ouija boards and seances, Cascioli said.

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Full article…

 

[Nelka]

Interesting.

 

[Tigg]

Catholic experts have noted that occult activity and the resulting need for exorcisms has reached a critical level.

Soooo…why don’t they just start using the older (Latin) Rite of Exorcism again? They were warned of the impotence of the revision, but changed it anyway.

 

[agnes_therese]

I think it’s great that they’re including medical professionals, therapists, and lawyers.

 

[McCall1981]

Very good to read.

 

[mikekle]

I think one of the major problems in modern times, too many people try to rely on science to explain these things, that is extremely dangerous as it is along the same lines as trying to debunk God and all he has done with scientific explanations, people today seem to have a big problem with admitting to the supernatural, and Satan probably has alot to do with why this is the case.

I cant remember exactly where I read this, but it was awhile back, someone had suggested a way to spot demonic activity by variations in the earths magnetism, something to do with the supernatural/ demons somehow effecting the magnetic field in certain definable ways…does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[MtnDwellar]

I cant remember exactly where I read this, but it was awhile back, someone had suggested a way to spot demonic activity by variations in the earths magnetism, something to do with the supernatural/ demons somehow effecting the magnetic field in certain definable ways…does this sound familiar to anyone?

It’s not true.

 

[GaryTaylor]

This year’s session will run from April 13-18 at Rome’s Regina Apostolorum University,

Should record it so we can we can hear it.

Soooo…why don’t they just start using the older (Latin) Rite of Exorcism again? They were warned of the impotence of the revision, but changed it anyway.

Thats what I think.

reached a critical level.

Surely you can’t miss it? Its so bad I expect evil to announce its existence at any time. Geez.

 

[edwest2]

I think one of the major problems in modern times, too many people try to rely on science to explain these things, that is extremely dangerous as it is along the same lines as trying to debunk God and all he has done with scientific explanations, people today seem to have a big problem with admitting to the supernatural, and Satan probably has alot to do with why this is the case.

I cant remember exactly where I read this, but it was awhile back, someone had suggested a way to spot demonic activity by variations in the earths magnetism, something to do with the supernatural/ demons somehow effecting the magnetic field in certain definable ways…does this sound familiar to anyone?

As a long-time researcher into such things, magnetic fields are not involved. However, there is a belief among some that certain places, which I will not name, allow access to a certain energy that can be tapped for mystical/occult purposes. It is surprising that such a belief persists given that there is no scientific evidence for this.

Exorcists who have written about what they’ve experienced have not, as far as I know, connected demons and demonic possession to a particular area or magnetic fields. What is clear is that demons are attracted to people who open themselves up to them by engaging in practices like seances, use of the ouija board and other things which allow for possible possession. Again, there is no science to back up the ‘effectiveness’ of such practices/things to do anything. The other danger lies in becoming involved with people who may introduce you to other forms of occult practices.

I thank God for what the Vatican is doing.

Ed

 

[Robert_Sock]

The Church needs various experts in the formation of the guidelines in order to lessen the potential mental health hazards of exorcism, such as a requirement that mental health professionals be present during any use of restraint.

 

[mikekle]

As a long-time researcher into such things, magnetic fields are not involved. However, there is a belief among some that certain places, which I will not name, allow access to a certain energy that can be tapped for mystical/occult purposes. It is surprising that such a belief persists given that there is no scientific evidence for this.

Ed

I see what you are saying, Ive read a few thing about that mystical energy source as well, and you are right, there is no scientific explanation for these things, but on the other hand, none for much of what christians have faith in either…everytime I look around, Im seeing new ‘modern day experts’ somehow debunking something in the bible, using scientific terms and methods.

But in the end, when Jesus comes again, Im betting there will ZERO scientific explanations for how every single person on the planet at the exact same time will see him, or hear the trumpets sounding, will they be able to explain the 3 days of total darkness? will they even try?

Im betting when these things begin to happen, our experts today will try to debunk it as well, they will use everything they have to try ans sway the peoples minds, they will tell them its mass hysteria, or some kind of ‘special effect’ we cannot explain, they will NEVER tell us what it really is though.