Vatican offers priests exorcism classes

The Vatican university is offering a course for Roman Catholic priests wishing to brush up their exorcism skills, the BBC reported Thursday.

The history of Satanism and its biblical context, psychology and the law will be part of the course at the prestigious Athenaeum Pontificium Regina Apostolorum.

There will also be seminars on the spiritual, liturgical and pastoral work involved in being a caster-out of demons.

Milan's official exorcist for more than 20 years, Father Giulio Savoldi, told the BBC each case of possession is different and therefore requires extensive background training.

"Those studying to become exorcists should also study psychology and know how to distinguish between a mental illness and a possession," he said. "And -- finally -- they need to be very patient."

© Copyright 2005 by United Press International