Sir, - I wonder what the apostles Peter and Paul would have made of the Roman Catholic Church's new rite of exorcism (The Irish Times, January 27th). They both appear to have met all the conditions necessary for being considered possessed.
Not only did St Paul speak in "unknown languages, understanding them", but he encouraged others. He said, "Be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues" (1 Cor 14:39). Both men revealed things to happen in the future and had strength beyond their natural ability, even as far as raising the dead (Acts Ch 9 & 20). They would even have failed the last test by showing an aversion towards anything taking the place of Christ, including "Our Lady, the cross and holy pictures".
Jesus was accused by the religious classes of the day of doing works by the power of the devil. Are we not witnessing history repeating itself? Jesus's response to the Pharisees was: "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges" (Matt. 12:27). - Yours, etc., Mike O'Leary,
Beamore Road, Drogheda, Co Meath.