Requests for exorcisms has doubled in Milan, the catholic church’s largest diocese. They’re receiving so many requests, they’ve opened a hotline M – F, 2:30 – 5:00pm.
“People in need can call and will be able to find a priest in the same area who doesn’t have to travel too far.” And to that end, the number of demon-busting priests on call has increased from six to 12.
Some of these “demon-busing priests” are seeing up to 120 people per day and don’t have time to perform a proper exorcism, but are merely blessing the afflicted.
It’s not clear why the number of suspected possessions has risen so sharply. But Monsignor Mascheroni said that part of the increase might be explained by the rising numbers of parents having difficulty controlling disobedient teenagers.
“Usually the parents call [because they are] concerned about a child who won’t go to school or who’s taking drugs or rebelling. In reality it’s not a demon, but when they’re 18 years old young people don’t want to be told what to do.”
The article mentions, however, that everyone should beware the charlatans. While the church doesn’t charge fees for their services, other unscrupulous exorcists do.
The article concludes with this:
Defined by the Catholic Encyclopaedia as “the act of driving out, or warding off, demons, or evil spirits, from persons, places, or things which are believed to be possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice,” exorcism has been practised by the Church for centuries, but its use has increased dramatically over the last half century.
