Exorcisms and Stigmata in the 19th and 20th centuries with Kristof Smeyers

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Learn about stigmata and exorcisms with an in-depth conversation with historian Kristof Smeyers, a leading expert on the history of science, religion, and magic during the 19th and 20th centuries. The discussion begins with Kristof’s extensive research on stigmata, exploring the complex phenomenon of the wounds of Christ appearing on people’s bodies. Kristof delves into notable historical cases, such as those of medieval stigmatics including St. Francis of Assisi, and contrasts them with lesser-known instances in Britain and Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries. As the conversation progresses, Kristof discusses the varying perceptions and practices of exorcism among priests and laypeople, and the role of the church in both supporting and quietly adapting to alternative exorcism methods. Kristof recounts historical cases of exorcisms, including tragic instances.