Exorcists training as possessions rise

THE Vatican is holding a training course for exorcists to help the Roman Catholic church cope with growing numbers of people claiming to be possessed.

The number of Italians approaching exorcists has tripled recently to half a million people, according to Vatican News.

Father Cesare Truqui, a priest who learned to cast out demons from Italy’s most famous exorcist, Fr. Gabriele Amorth, told the Vatican Insider that “in the popular mind, the exorcist is a sort of good wizard who deals with the devil”.

He acknowledged that many who turn to exorcists in reality have “problems of the family, of losing work, even girls with problems of the heart” while others suffer from “spiritual deviation”.

However, critics warn that exorcisms can be a form of “spiritual abuse” and counsel extreme caution when using them.

The Church of England said medical professionals must be consulted where appropriate.