The Catholic Church is increasing the number of priests capable of performing acts of exorcism (casting out demons through prayer), writes The Independent.
According to the publication, the growth in the number of occult practices has led to the need to increase the number of priests trained to exorcise evil spirits.
The Diocese of Milan appointed seven exorcist priests, the Catholic Church in Sardinia selected three priests, and eight priests were selected in Madrid to teach exorcism in Rome. These measures were taken in connection with the growing number of people who took part in pagan and satanic rites. It is reported that it is about "an unprecedented increase in cases of demonic possession."
According to the clergyman and president of the International Association of Exorcists Francesco Bamonta, the spellcasters in the dioceses are unable to cope with the huge number of requests for help.
The Catholic Church is currently training exorcists at the Athenaeum Pontificium Regina Apostolorum University. Meanwhile, mainstream medicine considers obsession as a particular case of a mental disorder or an attempt to attract attention, and healing through exorcism is associated with a placebo effect or suggestion.