Posted on 02/17/2005 10:03:33 AM PST by Ken Nielsen
Vatican University Debuts Satanism Classes
ROME - Worried about the lure of the devil, a Vatican (news - web sites)-linked university on Thursday debuted its latest course offering: a class on Satanism, black magic and exorcism.
The class for clergy and seminarians at Rome's Pontifical Academy "Regina Apostolorum" arose from alarm about what some religious officials see as Satanic practices among young people, especially in Italy.
In one case in Italy in January, members of a heavy metal band called "Beasts of Satan" were ordered to stand trial for their alleged role in three ritual killings. One of the victims was a 19-year-old stabbed to death in 1998. She may have been targeted because her killers believed she was a personification of the Virgin Mary, prosecutors contend.
A major theme of the first day's course was how to differentiate between a person who is possessed and someone who is simply suffering psychological problems.
Rome exorcist Francesco Bamonte described how he works with a team of priests and psychologists to make the distinction before deciding whether to go through with an exorcism.
"If not, I would be inundated with requests from people who don't need me," said Bamonte, who said he performs about 20 exorcisms a year.
The Vatican is also concerned about a growing number of young people who develop what instructors called personal forms of Satanism, outside the sects that are closely monitored by police. They often learn about the devil through the Internet.
This was posted a few months back.
It is usually good to hit the "Search" button and see if the article you are thinking about posting has already been uploaded. I know that I have been chided for not doing this at times.
Still, it is interesting.
"Posted a few months back."
That is amazing. This article just came out not more than 30 minutes ago. Is the news going through its archives for stories these days?
Not sure, maybe the news agency just rehashed it for some reason. I remember that this hit the Religion board around October.
There is an awakening to the reality of the devil going on in many denominations.
The problem is with the public who thinks the devil does not exist.
Add your source as well please, it allows others to read, verify, and link the original.
I will remember that, to post a link. This was on Yahoo this morning, and is gone now. I'm sure it exists still, but I do not have the link now.
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