Carl Remick wrote:
> > I have heard the same story myself concerning the Pope.
> >
> > Jim F.
> >
> > << Didn't the Pope perform a (failed) exorcism recently? Or was that
> > information completely erroneous?
> >
> > stannard
>
> [The story's true, but it wasn't recent. NB below from CNN, January 26,
> 1999: "... the Italian news agency ANSA said John Paul carried out the rite
> in 1982, driving out the devil from a woman who was brought to him, writhing
> on the ground." --
> http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9901/26/exorcism/index.html]
>
> Vatican issues first new exorcism ritual since 1614;
> Rites seeks to bring church up to date with science
>
> Vatican City (CNN) -- Blaming Satan for many of today's ills, the Vatican on
> Tuesday unveiled updated exorcism rules, along with a caution not to mistake
> psychiatric problems for diabolic possession.
>
> The Vatican's first updated ritual for exorcism since 1614 tries to bring
> the church up to date with modern science and, for the first time, urges
> church-approved exorcists to consult modern medicine where needed. However,
> officials made clear at a news conference that the traditional belief in the
> devil was not optional for today's Roman Catholics.
>
> "The existence of the devil isn't an opinion, something to take or leave as
> you wish," said Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, a Vatican official, adding
> that belief in Satan is a tenet of Catholic faith.
>
> The devil "deceives men, making them believe that you find happiness in
> money, in power, in carnal desire," Medina said in presenting the revised
> rules. "He fools men by persuading them that they do not need God and that
> they are self-sufficient."
>
> Rules urge consultations with physicians
>
> Except for some new formulas for priests, authorized by bishops, to read
> during exorcisms, the text is essentially unchanged. Instead the novelty
> appears largely in the cautions for determining if exorcism is warranted.
>
> "The exorcist will decide with prudence" after consulting with spiritual
> experts and "if considered opportune, with experts in medical and
> psychiatric science," the new rules stress.
>
> "First of all, he must not assume that those who are suffering from some
> illness, particularly psychological, are vexed by the demon," the guide
> says.
>
> It says signs that a person is under the influence of the devil include
> speaking unknown languages and having physical strength disproportionate to
> a person's age or body.
>
> The ritual of exorcism itself, outlined in detail in the booklet, includes
> prayers, the blessing and sprinkling of holy water, the laying of hands on
> the possessed and making the sign of the cross. It continues with appeals to
> Christ, the Holy Spirit and the saints of the church.
>
> Actual formula largely unchanged
>
> Then, the actual formula of exorcism begins.
>
> The first is the "imploring formula," in which the evils of the devil are
> listed and God is entreated to free the possessed.
>
> The second, more intense formula, is the "imperative formula" in which the
> devil is ordered to leave the possessed.
>
> The imperative formula begins: "I order you, Satan ..." It then goes on to
> denounce Satan as "prince of the world" and "enemy of human salvation." It
> ends: "Therefore, Go Back, Satan."
>
> The new text, an 84-page Latin-language book known as the Roman Ritual, is
> not yet available in other languages, but Cardinal Estevez said that was not
> a problem.
>
> "The new manual comes into effect today in its Latin version," he said. "An
> exorcist can use the Latin version tonight if he wants because the devil
> understands Latin."
>
> Number of exorcisms performed unclear
>
> Vatican officials said they had no figures on how many exorcisms are
> performed, but major dioceses have their own exorcists. Estevez said he
> believed the number of true possessions today was "not that great, rather
> scarce," but that the amount of evil in the world left no doubt the devil
> was on the job.
>
> Pope John Paul II has made it clear several times in his 20- year papacy
> that he believes in the existence of the devil. During a trip to Germany in
> 1987, the pope said the horrors of World War II, including the Nazi death
> camps, were proof that the devil was still at work.
>
> The pope himself once performed an exorcism during his papacy, according to
> the memoirs of Cardinal Jacques Martin, the former prefect of the pontifical
> household.
>
> Quoting the late cardinal's book, "My Six Popes," the Italian news agency
> ANSA said John Paul carried out the rite in 1982, driving out the devil from
> a woman who was brought to him, writhing on the ground.
>
> [end]
>
> Carl