Well, science has sure done a good job with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Exorcism was once far more common, and used erroneously all the time…
The curious thing to me about these kinds of conversations is this: exorcism is the far more “supernatural” or “mystical” practice while science deals with the world in accordance with the way God made it, with the way God made the human mind. So I find it confusing that we are so drawn towards this type of practice as opposed to scientific inquiry, especially when scientific inquiry had improved by leaps and bounds whereas exorcism has, so far as I can tell, gotten no better in thousands of years.
Dear VeritasLuxMea,
Cordial greetings and a very good day. Hope all is well.
Whilst it is certainly quite true that with the advance of knowledge regarding psychological and emotional disturbances, many strange occurences once attributed to demonic activity are now known to have other possible natural explanations, we should not discount the possibility and reality of diabolical possession as Holy Mother Church does not (
Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 1673). Unfortunately, dear friend, the modern world ignores or belitttles or even denies dread power and activity of the devil and that is why it greatly favours the machinations of that cruel and malignant foe. The devil and his minions, though blasted by the wrath of God and hurled down from their supernatural estate, retain, notwithstanding, the mighty faculties which they received at their creation, thus continuing to make them the most dangerous of adversaries. Sacred Scripture informs us as to just how formidable is their hostility when it warns that "we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the pricipalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness, and that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour” (Eph. 6: 12; I Pet 5: 8). Pope Paul VI described the Devil as “an effective agent, a living, spiritual being, perverted and perverting. A terrible reality. Mysterious and frightening” (General Audience, 15 Nov. 1972).
In his excellent book,
An Exorcist Tells His Story, (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1999), Father Gabriel Amorth warns that modern men are loosing their sense of the reality of supeprnatural evil. As a result, Father says, many have made themselves more vulnerable to the influence of evil spirits who seek to corrupt and to destroy souls. An exorcist of the diocese of Rome, Father Amorth knows only too well the reality of demonic possession and, indeed, has carried out thousands of exorcisms. Interestingly, he remarks that cultural influences such as film, television, music and books play no small part in lowering spiritual vigilance, but that is another story.
God bless.
Warmest good wishes,
Portrait
Pax
