“I'm not surprised, the times that we live in” - Exorcism makes a comeback

California Catholic Daily ^ | July 23, 2009

[GonzoII]

The July 8 issue of Catholic San Francisco covered the 2009 book The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist, by Matt Baglio. The Rite, describes the training and practice of San Francisco-born Father Gary Thomas, a contemporary Bay Area exorcist. In 2005, Father Thomas was sent by San Jose Bishop Patrick McGrath to study in Rome under master exorcist Capuchin Father Carmine De Filippis. Father Thomas observed 80 exorcisms as Fr. De Filippis apprentice.

From the Catholic San Francisco, article: “What sets exorcists apart from priests who are skeptical of the ministry may be their biblical belief in the physical reality of evil and the power of prayer and the sacraments to vanquish it.”

The skeptical attitude is not unique to the United States. On July 15, 2009, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, archbishop of Mexico City, addressed a conference of exorcists. The cardinal warned that the existence of the devil must be taken as fact, without either exaggerating or minimizing his actions out of skepticism or credulity taken to the extreme.

Since his return to the United States, Father Thomas has prayed the rite in five cases, two of which are ongoing. Before the Church will authorize an exorcism, there is a period of discernment, where other possible causes of the victim’s suffering must be excluded. Father Thomas’ team includes a psychologist, a psychiatrist, and a physician, as well as a second priest. After the period of discernment, says another trained exorcist, Father Tom Euteneuer of Human Life International, “A report is made to the diocese, and then the bishop must authorize a solemn exorcism.”

Both priests agree that for demonic possession to take place “a door must be opened.” This opening can be involuntary. Such doors include the use of ouija boards and other occult practices...

[GonzoII]

[LaineyDee]

I wonder if they could perform a mass exorcism in the WH and Congress? (not kidding)

[Rose Commander]

We need His Holiness, the Pope for that and it may take more than one exorcism.

[NYer]

For Father Euteneuer, some consequences are apparent. He considers a demonic presence in the abortion industry to be obvious.

“Abortion is a demonic industry,” he told the Philadelphia Bulletin. “Abortion is blood sacrifice of innocent blood to the devil. The clinics are like temples, the doctors are like priests, the medical table is like their altar. It’s a ritualized sacrifice. They have a dogma called choice, a hierarchy called Planned Parenthood, and guardian angels in the form of police guards that will arrest you if you try to stop them.”

Eye opening statement!

[DieHard the Hunter]

> and guardian angelsdemons in the form of police guards that will arrest you if you try to stop them.”

Minor point-of-order. Guardian Angels don't do the Devil's work.

[bboop]

And they sacrifice the children to Molech, as the pagans did in the old days.

[Rose Commander]

Yes, yes they are. And God has warned us about Molech and the punishment that come for sacrificing to Molech. I hope God has mercy for the people who don’t sacrifice to Molech but live in a nation that does.