Can the Deviil possess the Pope?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Graycard
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
G

Graycard

Guest
Let me begin by assuring whoever might see this that I have no intention to assert anything of the kind. Here’s my situation: I’m translating a French historical novel based very closely on the witchcraft trial of Fr. Louis Gaufridy in 1611, in Aix-en-Provence. Fr. Sebastian Michaelis at one point in the proceedings was asked to pontificate on whether Satan can posses good Christians. His reply, according to the record, was “Satan can possess the Pope.”

So my question is, is this subordination, or even blasphemy? If neither, is there a Catholic formula for this?
 
Graycard said:
Let me begin by assuring whoever might see this that I have no intention to assert anything of the kind. Here’s my situation: I’m translating a French historical novel based very closely on the witchcraft trial of Fr. Louis Gaufridy in 1611, in Aix-en-Provence. Fr. Sebastian Michaelis at one point in the proceedings was asked to pontificate on whether Satan can posses good Christians. His reply, according to the record, was “Satan can possess the Pope.”

So my question is, is this subordination, or even blasphemy? If neither, is there a Catholic formula for this?
Click to expand...
I do not think I, or anybody else, can answer your question…please clarify:

What are you referring to as subordination, or blasphemy?

And what do you mean by Catholic formula?

As to your question: Satan can posses good Christians

Yes, this is true. In fact, the Catholic Church has priests assigned as exorcists to deal with demonic possession.

For more info…I would recommend this book…The Rite by Matt Baglio.

Here is a Catholic Saint who was attacked by the devil…stgemmagalgani.com/2009/05/exorcisms-intercession-of-st-gemma.html

And this question…“Satan can possess the Pope.” Maybe you misread…instead of possess…you meant attack…certainly, Satan can attack the Pope. In fact, he probably tries to do this on a daily basis, trying to derail the work of the Pope.
 
Beyond Micahelis’s remark that Satan can posses the Pope, I have no idea what more you need. Is that blasphemy? Is it insubordination? Or is it any other kind of inappropriate remark coming from an ordained priest? As far as I’m concerned, a “Catholics Formula” is a category of behavior approved or condemned in Catholic dogma.

I see I hadn’t read your reply to the end. Thanks for the reply. I had (as a non-Catholic) thought that this might be a sinful or at least inappropriate, remark, especially coming from a priest.
 
It’s theoretically possible. However, no one is possessed who did not give some sort of consent or opening for a demonic spirit.

In the hypothetical situation of a possessed pope, Jesus’ promise still stands: the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church that he founded upon the Rock. Jesus is more powerful than the Devil and the victory has already been won. “All power has been given to me,” said the Risen Jesus. So, God can ensure that a possessed pope will not err in teaching on faith or morals. It could look like striking a possessed pope dead before he can promulgate error.

Hypothetically speaking.
 
Being in a state of grace is the most powerful deterrent to the devil. For that reason, modern Popes frequently receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Possession would be possible only if the Pope does not seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, or the graces that flow via the Sacraments.

Being Pope is not a passive position; not a place to rest on one’s laurels - it is an active office against all forms of evil and evil influence.
 
Yes, the devil can possess the Pope. But it is hardly likely that God would give permission for him to do so. No, consent is not necessary for possession. Saints have been possessed. While most possessions happen to those who have in some way consented to some sin, being in the state of mortal sin is not necessary for possession. One can be in the state of grace, have no intention of committing mortal sin, and be possessed.
 
Baptism includes an exorcism, and we renew our baptismal promises when we witness a baptism.

Confession is the ordinary exorcism that most of us participate in. It is more effective than exorcism for most ordinary sinners, because we engage our will in seeking out this healing sacrament.

Exorcism is for exceptional cases where a person is possessed or harassed to a degree where it interferes with their ability to engage their will and pursue Confession.

Charismatic Catholics won’t do deliverance prayer for a person who will not repent of their sin and amend their life. I am thinking of a particular instance where an infested person was having frightening nightmares and wanted relief, but would not repent of her so-called white witchcraft, and so she went on her way nightmares and all. If you cast out demons and play with demons, the re-infestation will be worse than before. :eek:
 
We must also remember that possession affects only the body and not the soul of an individual.
 
The Pope is human–and therefore flawed just like everyone else.

I’ve never heard of it happening though.
 
The Church is indefectible. The Pope is the head of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ. Therefore, God would never permit any Pope, even a sinful one, to be possessed by the devil.

See these comments by Pope John Paul II about the fall of the rebellious angels.
 
Cristiano said:
We must also remember that possession affects only the body and not the soul of an individual.
Click to expand...
Sort of true. The devil may be given permission by God to affect all parts of the body/soul/spirit EXCEPT the mind and will. Thus he may fiddle with one’s imagination, emotions, etc. The one thing he can’t do is force one to will sin. This is why people in the state of grace who have NOT invited the devil can be possessed. While possession is usually the result of some sin, it is not always the case that the possessed person is in the state of sin. The worst thing isn’t possession, it is the naked spirit to soul (devil to one’s soul) contact that can only last very briefly and with the person sustained by God because it is so painful and intense because of his utter hatred that one would die of it otherwise. It is pretty much a mystical experience and rarely experienced by those other than saints or people God wants to convert!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top