Pope Francis has given support to the work of exorcists in the Catholic church, after a group of priests who claim to save people from demons were officially recognised under canon law.
The International Association of Exorcists, a group of 250 priests battling the forces of evil across 30 countries, has now had its statutes approved by the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy, the church’s newspaper L'Osservatore Romano reported.
It gives legal recognition to the performance of an exorcism, and was a cause for joy – according to the head of the association.
The Reverend Francesco Bamonte told L'Osservatore: “Exorcism is a form of charity that benefits those who suffer.”
More than many of his predecessors, Pope Francis likes to encourages the personification of Satan and speaks frequently about the Devil’s work.
Last year he was captured in astonishing footage placing his hands on the head of a boy in a wheelchair, reciting an intense prayer until the boy slumped down exhaling sharply.
At the time La Repubblica quoted an exorcism expert saying: “It was a prayer of liberation from evil or even a real exorcism.” The Vatican has downplayed the incident, saying it was simply a prayer.
The Catholic Encyclopedia defines exorcism as “the act of driving out, or warding off, demons, or evil spirits, from persons, places, or things, which are believed to be possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice”.
He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
Yes, well of all of the things I've had some problems with concerning The Church, (birth control, the Death Penalty) "exorcism," has been the biggest problem I've had.... 
But I am reliably assured that one may not accept "exorcism" and still be a member in good standing within The Catholic Church...(Which is of course, The One True Faith...
)
But I am reliably assured that one may not accept "exorcism" and still be a member in good standing within The Catholic Church...(Which is of course, The One True Faith...
)
Re: He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
Wrong! This is the one true faith;
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
Yeah, he's a real nut-ball, actually believing Catholic teachings.
Where will it end?
Where will it end?
Re: He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
Dave--is demonic possession and exorcism a teaching of the RC church that members are expected/required to believe as factual? I would imagine there are many catholics (perhaps cafeteria catholics?) who reject that teaching, and many others who would if they gave it much thought.
Re: He's just as nutty as the rest of them then
Nonsense. He's perfectly lucid.
Curing people of fake diseases and driving out fantasy demons is easy! Anyone can do it.
Yrs,
Rubato
Curing people of fake diseases and driving out fantasy demons is easy! Anyone can do it.
Yrs,
Rubato