Priests will soon be 'inundated' with exorcism requests, asserts author

CNA ^ | 6/18/2010

[markomalley]

Front Royal, Va., Jun 18, 2010 / 06:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In an exclusive interview with CNA, author and pro-life leader Fr. Thomas Euteneuer discussed his recent book on the often misunderstood topic of exorcism, asserting that due to an increased exposure of young people to the occult, priests within the next decade are going to be “inundated” with exorcism requests.

Speaking on his new book, “Exorcism and the Church Militant,” which was released on June 14, Fr. Euteneuer, who also serves as director of Human Life International (HLI), elaborated on the need for exorcism to be clarified in modern society.

When asked why the ancient rite is often shrouded in misconception, Fr. Euteneuer explained that, “first of all, it's misunderstood because most people's perception of exorcism come from the movie the Exorcist or the Exorcism of Emily Rose,” or “some of the horror flicks that disguise themselves as exorcism movies.”

“One of the purposes of the book,” he noted, “was to take back the proper understanding of exorcism by placing it squarely in the context of the Church's pastoral ministry.”

In regard to the need for this pastoral ministry, Fr. Euteneuer asserted that “priests are going to be inundated in the next decade or so at least with requests for exorcism because I can already see it happening now where the younger generations especially have been affected by a lot of hard and soft occultism.”

“Soft forms of occultism are like Wicca and New Age,” he explained, adding that “Harry Potter contributes to that with over 400 million books being sold.” The popular book series, he claimed, has helped educate “younger generations in the language and the symbolism of the occult.”

Although many young people have treated the books merely as “entertainment,” he observed, “it actually leads them more deeply into occult practices.”

“All of this is inevitably, with the lack of faith, going to lead to serious spiritual problems for younger people and those problems are going to be laid at the foot of the Church.”

Though “Exorcism and the Church Militant” is intended for a “general audience,” said Fr. Euteneuer, it is meant specifically to make an appeal “to priests to read it, learn it and get more involved in it.”

“Because,” he clarified, “exorcism is a pastoral ministry and the explicit form of exorcism is a liturgical rite which can only be done by priests.”

Addressing what could be seen by many to be a daunting and frightening topic, Fr. Euteneuer said, “I encourage people to take the view of the Church towards this and that is, we have nothing to fear with regard to evil.”

“We just simply must apply the authority of the church to the power of evil in this world and I don't believe we're doing that adequately.”

“Fear is what keeps us from doing it adequately,” he said. “Fear is what keeps the Church from actually taking the spiritual resources that have been given to the Church and applying them to the very serious forms of evil.”

“Remember that in Jesus' ministry,” Fr. Euteneuer underscored, “He healed the sick, He preached the Gospel and He cast out demons. He continues to do those works in and through the Church and that it what he handed on to the Church to do.”

[Tax-chick]

Great - it’ll become a fad. Maybe this is a commie plot to keep priests too busy to hear confessions ...

[floridavoter2]

Some weird stories out there. My priest had to take part in exorcisms before. He said he saw someone being levitated too. Creepy.

[HighlyOpinionated]

Does he make house calls?

There’s a great need for an exorcism at 1600 PA Ave NW, Washington, DC.

[And if you’ve never witnessed an exorcism, I suggest you not make negative comments about it until you have. I have. When the exorcist is person of God, it’s REAL. There are shams and ‘snake oil salesmen’ out there. I’ve seen them, too.]

[painter]

Bump

[mlizzy]

Maybe this is a commie plot to keep priests too busy to hear confessions ...

If priests were too busy hearing confessions in the first place, IMO Fr. probably wouldn't have found it necessary to write this book. :):)

Exorcism AND THE CHURCH MILITANT, by Father Thomas J. Euteneuer

Harry Potter AND THE PAGANIZATION OF CULTURE, by Michael D. O'Brien

I've read Michael D. O'Brien's book and it is very good. Harry Potter isn't innocent viewing for children. It's sneaky in its presentation of the occult using cute kids and fun "magic." It's discouraging to me that our priest actually gave the books a thumbs up years ago, and made a special announcement in that regard during Confirmation planning with all the kids and parents present. But continual prayers for Father Euteneuer; another St. John Vianney!!

There’s a great need for an exorcism at 1600 PA Ave NW, Washington, DC.

Ha! Indeed! Maybe you've already read this by Fr. Euteneuer, but in the event you missed it ...

We Don't Believe You, Mr. President, by Father Thomas J. Euteneuer

[Tax-chick]

If priests were too busy hearing confessions in the first place, IMO Fr. probably wouldn't have found it necessary to write this book.

There is that.

[Biggirl]

I thought that only a certain trained number of priests in each diocesse does this rite.

[markomalley]

I thought that only a certain trained number of priests in each diocesse does this rite.

The vast majority of dioceses in this country do not even have a single exorcist appointed or trained. Fr. Euteneuer, in an interview I heard recently, indicated that there were only around 10 of them for the entire country!!!

[NYer]

Related News

Famous exorcist: 'The devil loves to take over those who hold political office'

[AliVeritas]

There are more than thought.

[the invisib1e hand]

Priests will soon be 'inundated' with exorcism requests, asserts author

And not a moment too soon.

[Miss Marple]

The parish next to has a priest who is one of the 10. His name is Father Vincent Lampert. I found this out by reading our diocesean newspaper.

[Salvation]

But wouldn’t a Confession be a part of it?

Might be.