Catholic prelates from 33
countries are in Italy for the ninth annual conference on
exorcism.
'Exorcism and Prayer for Liberation' is on through May 10
and is expected to draw 200 participants from countries as far
afield as Australia and South Korea.
Events are spread between Rome and Bologna.
"It's devoted mostly to priests who are the first to learn
the ministry of exorcism, but not only to them," said Father
Cesare Truqui, an exorcist from the Legionaries of Christ, which
is organizing the conference together with Catholic organization
GRIS.
"A priest is usually side by side with a group of laypeople
who help," he told Vatican Radio.
"They can include psychologists, psychiatrists or doctors,
but also regular people like professionals and housekeepers,
even during preliminary consultations to see if it's indeed a
case of possession or not".
"Exploring the theme of demonic possession does not mean
causing general paranoia, but to creating awareness of the
existence of the devil and of the possibility of
possession...You can fight it with God, with prayer, with Marian
devotion".
Truqui noted that Pope Francis in his April 11 homily
admonished the faithful to "learn to fight the devil...who
exists even in the 21st century".
"The pope reminds us," added the exorcist, "that speaking
of demons doesn't mean creating a new theology outside the
Gospels, but rather staying within Jesus Christ's teachings".
Last May, many wondered if Francis had performed what
appeared to be an exorcism in St Peter's Square on Pentecost
Sunday, after the pontiff placed his hands on a man's head and
recited a prayer.
The Vatican denied the pope "intended to perform an
exorcism".
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