This is very scary. There is a direct corrilation historically between "demonology" and increased religiousity. Remeber the 80s "Satanic Panic." When times roll around that there are less claims of Demononic possession there is simply less interest or dependance on the churh, I'm not even going tolook this one up. I would bank on the fact that most of these claims come from third world countries were there is not internet access and religion is on the rise.

Interestingly the more cultures become religious the more they tend to "notice" demons. So there is a great truth to the saying that "People create thair own demons".

Anything to get people's mind off of the problem of pedophilia and massive cover ups. Does anyone know of "Black Collar" crime? A majority of the perpetrators are Catholics.

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Good old Kyle summed up my thoughts nicely when I heard about this silliness

Well-trained and discerning exorcists? Now there's an oxymoron.

Do they provide OJT?

Send one to Washington.

Of course, the devil made them do it. UGH mental health, not exorcism is the way to help people. Ridiculous that we even have to say that at this point.

Sounds like this would make a good film

Ecclisiastical Ghostbusters

On another note mental health services on the decline .....

Wow-the Exorcist is back.

When will the society, as a whole, actually grow up, and understand that there are no such things as demons...or gods...
Only little children should behave as such....when play acting.

Some good may come of this. Italy is Catholic country and it's likely that a significant percentage of the population would mistake signs of mental health issues for possession and turn to an exocist rather than a doctor if a family member begins show symptoms. If that exorcist is able to spot those symptoms and recommend medical help instead of mumbo-jumbo, then some people might actually get the help they need.

It'd be better if the church and establishment recognised that all cases of possession are either medical issues or fakery, of course, but it's a start.

If I were to roll my eyes any harder, I'd probably trigger a migraine.

It's a load of bollocks, built on a load of bollocks, maintain than more bollocks can solve the intial bollocks.

We need more neuroscientists, not christain voodoo witch doctors. I wonder if this could be false reporting in an attempt to bring religion back stronger in the spotlight. Religion is on the downhill popularity wise, why not report a ton of possessions to ensure people stay on the bandwagon? If the reports are accurate however, I really hope they get the help they need.

The power of christ compels me to demand a third party double blind survey to substantiate the claims made in this article.