Vatican-backed exorcism course warns of 'beautiful young vampires'

"Beautiful young vampires," in vitro fertilization and gay rights were among the warnings for possession presented during a Vatican-backed exorcism course.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Vampires from pop culture Hollywood films, like Twilight and True Blood, were described as encouraging the young people to "dabble with occult forces," according to The Independent.

"There are those who try to turn people into vampires and make them drink other people's blood, or encourage them to have special sexual relations to obtain special powers," said Professor Giuseppe Ferrari, a leading authority on demonic possessions at the meeting in Rome. "These groups are attracted by the so-called beautiful young vampires that we've seen so much of in recent years."

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During the course, it is outlined that exorcisms should only be conducted by trained priests, and the Vatican recognizes that genuine demonic possession is rare.

However, Pope Francis has urged ever diocese to follow Catholic law and have at least one trained exorcist.

"The ministry of performing exorcism is little known among priests. It's like training to be a journalist without knowing how to do an interview," explained Swiss exorcist Father Cesare Truqui to The Independent.

According to The Independent, the number of possessed cases has greatly increased in the past couple of years.

In 2012, the diocese in Milan installed an exorcism hotline to deal with the increased numbers. According to Milan's chief exorcist, Monsignor Angelo Mascheroni, their diocese has doubled the number of exorcists.

Professor Giuseppe Ferrari presented to the Vatican course a checklist to improve the effectiveness of exorcisms; it is noted do not try these at home.

- "Exorcisms should only be carried out by properly trained priests, licensed to do so by the diocese in which they work. Priests can not perform exorcisms in different dioceses without special permission.