The Regina Apostolorum pontifical
institution of the Legionaries of Christ in April will offer the
11th edition of its week-long course on exorcism, open to both
clergy and laypeople who want to learn about the practice of
exorcism as well as its practical applications in both pastoral
life and other fields such as psychology and law.
The course is organised by the Istituto Sacerdos in
collaboration with the Bologna Socio-religious research and
information group (GRIS) and the International Exorcists
Association (AIE).
"We have a very secularised society in which, more than in
the past, there's the tendency to open the doors to occultism
and esotericism," said Father Pedro Barrajon, director of the
Istituto Sacerdos.
"Demonic influence is favored by magical practices and the
use of fortune tellers, which can have a real influence leading
even to possession," Barrajon said.
He said the course is aimed at training participants in how
to recognise cases that present themselves in a pastoral
setting, involving when needed the assistance of doctors,
psychiatrists and psychologists.
Given the nature of the course topic, which organisers said
"could lend itself to sensationalism that derails from healthy
theology", the course also provides a theological basis on the
nature and action of angels and demons from a biblical,
liturgical, dogmatic and moral point of view in an open dialogue
with professionals in the fields of medicine, psychology and
law.
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