The Conjuring, the Vatican and Pope Francis’ obsession with the Devil
The recent box-office success of Warner Bros. The Conjuring and Pope Francis' obsession with the devil brought Satan in the international spotlight once again.
The Conjuring is about the story of a family who moved in a haunted Rhode Island Farm house. The family soon experienced satanic and nightmarish terror. They called on noted paranormal investigators and demonologist Ed and Lorraine Warren to exorcise the house. And soon they saw themselves confronting a menacing reality which endangers the lives of everyone involved.
Catholic News Service stated that the film contains a skewed view of Catholic faith practices, intense action sequences, mild gore, fleeting profanity, and intense but nonviolent scenes involving children. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
If there is one thing that can benefit from the success of The Conjuring, it is the Roman Catholic Church. The movie reminds people of the reality of devil and the power of Catholic faith to ward them off.
Here are some of Twitter users' reactions before and after watching The Conjuring:
Meanwhile, Pope Francis' obsession with the devil which has taken with a remarkable new twist after the Pope allegedly conducted an exorcism during a Pentecost mass last 19th May has likewise made the people fascinated and amused about the existence of devil in this modern era.
If the success of The Conjuring and the Pope's invocation of the devil in his recent homilies are sign of the times, can the Catholic Church with its decreasing influence jump in the bandwagon and try to use this to bring people back to Cathocism?