The church organizes an exorcism course to fight against the shadow of Satan, who grows up with the networks

In a world more and more distant from the faith, the myth of the devil is also campaigning through social networks and the Internet, a phenomenon that dozens of priests and lay people are studying in Rome today to share their experiences and face the supposed influence of the Evil One.

"I believe that these media may badume a greater presence of the gospel of God, but they may also give more space to Satan, depending on the use that one makes of it." says the Spanish theologian. Pedro Barrajón, who attends XIV course on exorcism and prayers of liberation in Rome.

Before a small group of journalists explained that the new channels of communication "may favor satanic practices, occult rites and portals dedicated to this region that were previously more difficult to disseminate".

But solve the problem by calling for restraint: "There is no need to demonize these media," he insists.

The course is organized by Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, an institution run by the Legionaries of Christand until next Saturday, will discuss the controversial subject of demonic possessions with the testimony of exorcists and renowned experts.

At the first session, the auditorium is almost full. 241 students are enrolled in 42 countries: priests, nuns and laypeople, including doctors, psychiatrists or teachers concerned by the subject, all at a rate of 400 euros per head, including food.

During these five days will be studied the liturgy of exorcism and the prayers of liberation, will speak of angels and demons, catechism, symbols and rituals, but also includes an article entitled "Recognize satanic content in the media ".

It is precisely the secretary of the group of investigation and socio-religious information (GRA), Giuseppe Ferrari, one of the organizers, who denounced the installation of a sculpture of Lucifer in a city of Bologna, although it looks more like a kind of fauna.

In any case, everything seems to indicate that the Evil is interested, partly thanks to his mythification in cinema or literature: "It is a subject that always attracts attention, but then, theologically speaking, the theme of God is much richer, "says the priest.

"In the background lies the mystery that evil can be not only an event or a fact, but can also be personified, which is not only caused by the sins of the world. man, "said the Spanish priest, who warns against a more secularized world and" far from God ".

The theologian emphasizes his respect for those who do not believe in exorcisms and princes of darkness, but he recommends not to frivolize: "Not to believe could mean that he is a little fallen into the trap of the devil," says -he.

Barrajón and Ferrari both point out that the Church does not have documents to quantify the dubious phenomenon of possession, although they argue that this is absolutely true.

The priest tells how one can recognize a case of this type, listing four symptoms: dislike for the sacred, the ability to speak and understand archaic and unknown languages, to demonstrate supernatural strength and to know the secrets .

However, continue, warns that "most" of those who have engaged in exorcists "actually suffer from psychological problems" and that it is therefore necessary to consult a psychiatrist first.

If the torments do not stop, indicates with a total naturalness, it is then when you opt for exorcism, all "a fight" between the religious and the spirit, which can to expel by the mouth of the possessed "inexplicably" pieces of heavy metal or crystals.

This year the course will also end with an ecumenical roundtable around which will be held representatives of various Christian churches, such as an Orthodox Bishop, a Catholic, an Anglican, a Pentecostal and the Argentine Lutheran Bishop Manuel Acuña.

And it is that, contrary to what we think, not only Catholics apply these practices, but also the other branches of Christianity implement them, as well as Muslims or Hebrews.

Father Barrajón does not hide the fact that the devil has also infiltrated into the walls of the Church, as the pope himself acknowledged following pedophile scandals, and he resorts to St. Thomas Aquinas to sum up that "the devil is in all his actions" sinner of man ".

By Gonzalo Sánchez (EFE)