Institute to hold 11th exorcism course

(ANSA) - Rome, March 9 - 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.