The New Gospel

<p><em style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: initial;">Demons also have such a very prolonged lifespan that they gain a much more extensive experience of things than we human beings can come by, given the shortness of our life … They have in fact at their disposal marvelous and invisible means of persuasion; the fine, rarified nature of their bodies enables them to penetrate the bodies of human beings unperceived, unfelt, and to mix themselves into their thoughts.</em></p>

<p><em style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: initial;">The Church teaches that Satan [the devil] was at first a good angel, made by God:&nbsp; The devil and other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em style="line-height: 1.5; background-color: initial;">Pope Benedict XVI … made a surprising welcome in his general audience:&nbsp; He offered best wishes to a convention of exorcists, whom he encouraged to “carry on their important work in the service of the church.”&nbsp; Details of the convention were not released publicly, but exorcism has gained a more prominent role in the Catholic Church in recent years. … Regina Apostolorum, a top Vatican university, is planning this year to offer another course in exorcism to priests; a course last year proved popular with students.</em></p>