<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople in need can call and will be able to find a priest in the same area who doesn\u2019t have to travel too far.\u201d And to that end, the number of demon-busting priests on call has increased from six to 12.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually the parents call [because they are] concerned about a child who won\u2019t go to school or who\u2019s taking drugs or rebelling. In reality it\u2019s not a demon, but when they\u2019re 18 years old young people don\u2019t want to be told what to do.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The article mentions, however, that everyone should beware the charlatans. While the church doesn’t charge fees for their services, other unscrupulous exorcists do.<\/p>\n
The article concludes with this:<\/p>\n
Defined by the Catholic Encyclopaedia as \u201cthe 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,\u201d exorcism has been practised by the Church for centuries, but its use has increased dramatically over the last half century.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n