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Archbishop advises against labelling psychological issues as demonic possession

Archbishop advises against labelling psychological issues as demonic possession
Jan 11 2022 Share

Celebrating daily mass in the morning, Archbishop Charles Scicluna cautioned people against quickly labelling mental health or psychological issues as demonic possession. 

Reading an extract from the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus performed an exorcism in the synagogue of Capernaum, the Archbishop highlighted the tendency to mix the ideas of possession with psychological problems.

‘If someone is suffering from psychological problems, we do not label them as being possessed. It is up to our [Church] experts and exorcists to determine possession or devil’s influence on a person’ he said. 

These comments follow police stopping interrogations of lead murder suspect Abner Aquilina after he claimed the devil was speaking to him and was admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital. He had also allegedly told police he was doing God’s work but the devil entered his thoughts when the silent attacks occurred. 

Abner has also been linked to the controversial church River of Love, despite its leader distancing itself from the suspect. Despite not acknowledging this case, the Archbishop said that even though many cases stem from psychological problems, it does not mean ‘evil spirits or the devil’ do not exist.

He went on to state that ‘God gave the power of exorcism only to the Church and each bishop is given that strength and power of exorcism for their diocese.’ 

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Squid Game actor becomes first Korean to win Golden Globe award

Squid Game actor becomes first Korean to win Golden Globe award
Jan 11 2022 Share

Squid Game star Oh Yeong-su became the first Korean actor to win a Golden Globe Award after he took home the trophy for the Best Supporting Actor in Television. Oh, who is 77-years-old, beat others to win his first Golden Globe at his first attempt for his role as Player 001 in the hit Netflix series. 

Following backlash over a diversity and corruption scandal which led to an industry boycott of the once-prestigious awards show, the winners of this year’s Golden Globes were announced at a private ceremony streamed online with no presenters or speeches. 

Oh was thus not given the opportunity to address his win. However, the veteran actor has previously addressed the impact of the show. 

‘So many people have been contacting me, and because I don’t have a manager to help me, its hard for me to handle the volume of calls and messages I’ve been receiving. So my daughter has been helping me’ he said in an interview. Oh was born in 1944 in Kaesong which is now in North Korea. He has been acting since 1967 and claims to have appeared in well over 200 theatre productions before transitioning to film and TV. 

Squid Game became Netflix’s most successful TV show ever after its September 2021 release. It was also nominated for Best Television Drama, but lost out to ‘Succession’.

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37 Maltese police officers currently suspended over criminal investigations

37 Maltese police officers currently suspended over criminal investigations
Jan 11 2022 Share

Responding to a parliamentary question from PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri revealed that a total of 37 police officers are currently suspended from the force pending criminal investigation. 

No names or personal details were included and it was also not made clear what offences these officers were charged with. The bulk of the offenders are likely from alleged extra duty abuse which occurred in February of 2020. This scheme saw traffic officers make away with thousands in euros by reporting for overtime they would not turn up for. 

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Photo Source: Byron Camilleri FB

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EU Parliament President David Sassoli dies aged 65

EU Parliament President David Sassoli dies aged 65
Jan 11 2022 Share

President of the European Parliament David Sassoli died aged 65. He was hospitalised in Italy since the 26th of December 2021, with this being the second admission in the span of a few months. 

He was admitted to hospital last September with pneumonia. Spokesman Roberto Cuillo wrote that Sassoli passed away at 1.15 am on 11th January at the CRO in Aviano, Italy. 

First Vice President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola issued a touching tribute to Sassoli, calling him a champion, friend and leader. 

‘I am heartbroken to learn that European Parliament President David Sassoli has passed away early this morning. Europe lost a leader, I have lost a friend, democracy has lost a champion. We have lost one of us’ she said. 

‘David Sassoli dedicated his life to making the world a better, fairer place’ said Metsola, saying that his parliament joined Alessandra, Giulio, Livia and all his loved ones in mourning. 

Sassoli has been President of the parliament since July 2019, but his career started off in journalism and spanned decades. 

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Photo Source: Roberta Metsola FB