Vatican offers exorcism lessons

[crocodile deathroll]

At first I was going to post this BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4272689.stm ) in the Religion and Philosophy forum but I just thought better of it and IMHO it is far more relevant to just General Skepticism and the Paranormal.

CDR

[TheBoyPaj]

How long before someone at ITV proposes "Cross Idol"?
I can see it now: audition exorcisms, Simon Cowell delivering his verdict from the pulpit. Could be a big hit.

[jmercer]

One more example of how the Catholic Church is stuck trying to incorporate appropriate responses to "possession" claims (i.e., psychology) while not giving up fundamental beliefs (i.e., possession). As I've posted before, the Church's official position these days are that all other avenues (medical, psychological) should be exhausted before resorting to exorcism. (Of course, there's a lot of "cowboy" priests in the RCC that seem to do whatever they want until they're jerked up short.)

I give them credit for trying to find a compromise solution, but I think they could be doing a much better job of it. Realistically, though, the politics in the RCC are savage and pervasive and always have been - so it's no surprise to me that a conservative and literalist-leaning faction might be able to pull this off and force this kind of class to appear in the Vatican College.

[Ashles]

Originally posted by jmercer
(Of course, there's a lot of "cowboy" priests in the RCC that seem to do whatever they want until they're jerked up short.)
I love the though of "A priest who doesn't play by the rules".

"This man is acting atrange."
"I shall perform an exorcism!"
"No, no calm down Pedro, he just needs some counselling..."

"The local store has been robbed"
"I shall exorcise the demons from the perpetrators!"
"No, no it was just kids Pedro..."

"We're out of toilet paper."
"Demons! It's exorcism time!"
"Pedro, we need to talk..."

[TheBoyPaj]

He was a priest on the edge, unconventional, uncompromising...

Bishop (cigar in mouth, slamming fist on desk): "Lord damnit, Pedro! I've got three reports of you performing unauthorised exorcisms. I've got the Vatican breathing down my neck. What the hell's the matter with you?"

Pedro: "Too bad Bishop. You just don't like me 'cause I get results. Now give me the file on the Mayor's daughter."

Bishop: "OK. I'm giving you 24 hours to expel the devil, or I'm gonna have to ask for your cross and badge."