: Warrensburg, Mo. News
Exorcism topic of presentation Thursday on campus
Apr 22, 2008, 11:05
By Sarah Coss
WARRENSBURG, Mo. - After films like “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” students at the Newman Center want to know if the practice is adequately depicted—they will find out Thursday as The Rev. Steven Hansen will speak on campus about the topic.
Exorcism is the process of driving demons out of a person who is deemed to be possessed or tormented by evil spirits, through word and ritual. It is still a recognized practice, under certain stipulations, in some denominations of Christianity, including Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox and some Protestant churches.
“Students want to know if the media portrays [exorcism] accurately,” said Julianna Webber, Newman Center director.
Theresa Beckmann, sophomore dietics major, attends Newman events regularly and thinks the presentation is a good idea.
“People will get a better understanding of what [exorcism] is and why it’s performed,” Beckman said.
Webber said she asked Hansen, who she knows through the Diocese in Kansas City, to address misconceptions and spiritual warfare. He will also differentiate major exorcisms, like the one in “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and minor ones, which could include things like making the sign of the cross. Webber explained why she approached Hansen to speak to the students.
“He’s young and still willing to do crazy things,” she joked, “but he did want it to be known that he is not the one that performs the exorcisms for the church.”
Hansen’s discussion will be from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in Union 117.
The Newman Center
The Newman Center, 106 N. Broad St., is a Catholic campus ministry at UCM, which provides a variety of services and activities to Catholic and non-Catholic students.
“College students are going through tremendous intellectual changes,” Webber said. “We help students stay up-to-speed with their faith life, while they are growing academically.”
They offer a separate mass at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 S. Ridgeview Drive, and worship activities. The Newman Center provides educational classes for those wishing to receive sacrament preparation, called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Other activities offered include retreats, mission trips and volunteer work, like the Relay for Life.
For more information about the Newman Center, you may call 747-6997 or visit its Web site: www.ucmnewman.org.
Exorcism is the process of driving demons out of a person who is deemed to be possessed or tormented by evil spirits, through word and ritual. It is still a recognized practice, under certain stipulations, in some denominations of Christianity, including Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox and some Protestant churches.
“Students want to know if the media portrays [exorcism] accurately,” said Julianna Webber, Newman Center director.
Theresa Beckmann, sophomore dietics major, attends Newman events regularly and thinks the presentation is a good idea.
“People will get a better understanding of what [exorcism] is and why it’s performed,” Beckman said.
Webber said she asked Hansen, who she knows through the Diocese in Kansas City, to address misconceptions and spiritual warfare. He will also differentiate major exorcisms, like the one in “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and minor ones, which could include things like making the sign of the cross. Webber explained why she approached Hansen to speak to the students.
“He’s young and still willing to do crazy things,” she joked, “but he did want it to be known that he is not the one that performs the exorcisms for the church.”
Hansen’s discussion will be from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in Union 117.
The Newman Center
The Newman Center, 106 N. Broad St., is a Catholic campus ministry at UCM, which provides a variety of services and activities to Catholic and non-Catholic students.
“College students are going through tremendous intellectual changes,” Webber said. “We help students stay up-to-speed with their faith life, while they are growing academically.”
They offer a separate mass at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 S. Ridgeview Drive, and worship activities. The Newman Center provides educational classes for those wishing to receive sacrament preparation, called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Other activities offered include retreats, mission trips and volunteer work, like the Relay for Life.
For more information about the Newman Center, you may call 747-6997 or visit its Web site: www.ucmnewman.org.
