Vatican offers course in exorcism

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050916-125231-1834r

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican is seeking applications for exorcism training at its Rome university where one can learn to talk to the devil.

The 10-week course at the Athenaeum Pontificium Regina Apostolorum includes sessions in exorcism rites, how to communicate with the devil and understand the tricks he uses to fight back, and signs of the occult hidden in rock music and video games. snip

The recruitment drive comes amid growing Vatican concern about a rise in Satanism. Pope Benedict XVI this week praised 180 of the students gathered at a secret location outside Rome.

[LizMoonstar]

1. Is it led by Leslie Nielsen?

If Father Mayi is teaching, I'm so there. Otherwise this is crap.

[dhinojosa]

2. I need to learn how to put demons into people

so they can keep busy.

[rodeodance]

3. um.. maybe we can exorcise the evil out of certain Repugs?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. Cool.

But a secret location? So Satan can't find them?

[grumpy old fart]

11. No, so sanity can't reach them. sheesh, when will the 21st century arrive?

[SteppingRazor]

5. Sweet. Can lay people take the course.

I wanna be an exorcist! That'd be cool -- especially the talking to the devil part. When I'm home alone and kinda bored, after taking the course, would I be able to call Lucifer up -- you know, just to chit-chat?

[geomon666]

8. Yo Luci, did you see the Bears game?

That'd be sweet. :D

[mainegreen]

6. I can not believe people still believe in possession.

I mean really. Not once has any possession been validates. Or any other loony thing like crying Marys or stigmata or healing holy nun eyeballs or what have you. This stuff just makes me mad. They take some poor epileptic, schizophrenic or autistic person, tie them up or what have you and proceed to REALLY screw them up. Any priest who performs an exorcism should be prosecuted for assault.

[geomon666]

7. Where do I sign up?

And do I have to be catholic to take this course?

[tatertop]

9. But will they send me business once I am certified?

'course not!

[CatBoreal]

10. You would think they'd try exorcising...

...the peodophiles out of the priesthood.

[Scurrilous]

12. Exorcism U.

I wonder if they serve pea soup in the school cafeteria?

[geomon666]

13. "Okay, now when they turn heads completely around like that..."

"that's normal...ok. That's just Satan f***ing with you."

[Meatwad]

14. You have to wonder whether or not those are real...

My old roommate once told me the Catholic church is hiding the fact that exorcisms do exist, but I'm not buyin'.

:shrug:

[geomon666]

15. They must be doing a good job of hiding it.

Shhh, we're not supposed to know about Exorcism High.

[NNN0LHI]

16. It doesn't appear they are hiding it

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/15/international/15briefs.html

VATICAN: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING AN EXORCIST Pope Benedict XVI, who often greets religious groups visiting Rome, made a surprising welcome in his general audience: He offered best wishes to a convention of exorcists, whom he encouraged to "carry on their important work in the service of the church." Details of the convention were not released publicly, but exorcism has gained a more prominent role in the Catholic church in recent years. Pope John Paul II, who died in April, oversaw the rewriting of the ritual for exorcisms and reportedly took part in at least one himself, in 2000. Regina Apostolorum, a top Vatican university, is planning this year to offer another course in exorcism to priests; a course last year proved popular with students. Ian Fisher (NYT)

[kenny blankenship]

17. You mean, like "The power of cheese compels you!"-- that kind of exorcism?

[geomon666]

18. Dude, I just puked green bile when I read that.

I AM THE ANTI-CHEESE! :evilgrin:

[calico1]

19. Is there an online version?

Like DeVry? I'm a Catholic so I figure I already have some credits. :D