Exorcism: It hasn't gone away you know.

THEY are dismissed as con artists or depicted as cinematic heroes, as authentic as the ghoulish Halloween figures they battle.

But while their mysterious powers have been glamorised in popular literature and horror movies, one ancient and massively influential institution, the Catholic Church, has never doubted them.

Exorcists have always been recognised by the Catholic Church and an updated rite has been put in place, with regular courses for priests, in Rome.