The Vatican's Exorcists: Driving Out the Devil in the 21st Century - Hardcover

Wilkinson, Tracy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0446578851 ISBN 13: 9780446578851

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

* How the Vatican's Office of Exorcism drives out demons and battles Satanic evil in today's world

About this title

About the Author

TRACY WILKINSON lives with her husband in Rome, Italy.

Reviews

Anyone who has seen the movie The Exorcist will never forget the transformation of lead actress Linda Blair from an innocent young girl into a demonically possessed, vomit-spewing monster. According to Wilkinson's account, some contemporary Catholic priest-exorcists have seen even more horrifying metamorphoses. If the priests interviewed in this informative book are to be believed, there is an increasing demand for their services. Underlying the attraction to exorcisms, Wilkinson speculates, is a desire for simple explanations for complex problems. "In a world awash in catastrophe and unspeakable suffering, many people feel increasingly compelled to see evil in concrete and personified—not to mention simplified—forms, and to find a way to banish the bad." Wilkinson adroitly places those who recommend exorcisms in tension with those who do not see value in the practice. The questions the skeptics raise are obvious but important: are people who desire an exorcism really possessed by Satan, or are they mentally ill? How does one distinguish a "legitimate" possession from other pathologies? This book is certainly not an apologia for exorcisms, but it will appeal to those looking for a fascinating history and some thoughtful commentary from proponents and skeptics alike. (Feb. 21)
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Wilkinson opens with the powerful image of a seemingly normal, contemporary, 45-year-old woman undergoing an exorcism--a rite most probably associated with a hit novel and movie. Wilkinson portrays it thriving, especially in Italy, which hosts approximately 350 exorcists, a few of whom appear in her exceedingly readable book, as do several of their patients. Like psychotherapy, authentic exorcism isn't "a one-shot deal." Many attempts may be needed "to banish the devil," and while the exorcisms described will chime with Exorcist fans, the complete case studies make the book chilling. Wilkinson also discusses exorcism's history and how it is regarded with everything from ambivalence to embarrassment by the Roman Catholic Church today. Still, she points out, it is accepted, sanctioned, and performed "far more commonly than one would expect," and the International Association of Exorcists holds a secret convention in Italy every two years. Indeed, thousands of Italians reportedly seek exorcisms every year. Wilkinson goes so far as to call it a growth industry. Fascinating and full of surprises. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0446578851
• ISBN 13: 9780446578851
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208