Rome: course on exorcism begins

Around 120 seminarians and priests have begun studying exorcism this week, at Rome's Regina Apostolorum university, run by the Legionaries of Christ. The two-month course will include the history of Satanism and its context in the Bible, psychology and law.

Father Giulio Savoldi, who has been Milan's official exorcist for more than 20 years said: "Any priest picked to do this kind of work would need to be wise, and able to gather strength not just from within himself but from God."

He said: "Those studying to become exorcists should also study psychology and know how to distinguish between a mental illness and a possession." While calls for exorcisms are quite rare, Italy is currently being gripped by a murder trial due to open next week near Milan in which a group of young people have been accused of killing two teenagers as part of a Satanic rite. Father Savoldi says the case just confirms his belief in the power of evil to make the most of human weakness.

(posted September 2005 - the date above is incorrect)

Source: FIDES/BBC