Church's Emphasis on Exorcism

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njlisa

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Dear friends in Christ:

Help me understand the issue of exorcism. We cannot deny the overwhelming evidence of demonic forces in the world and evil magical practices.

Recent popes, including Pope Francis, have restated the importance of exorcism in the Church. All psychological and medical factors must be ruled out. Thus few people need exorcisms.

So, why are genuine cases of possession so rare?

I would appreciate any (name removed by moderator)ut.
 
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There are stages of demonic and influence,oppression,obsecession then possession. The discernment process is very acute and as a result few are actually deemed possessed per the criteria for such.My sister and b in law are part of a ministry that deals with these issues
 
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There are some really great Catholic videos on YT that deal with this topic! There are a ton of steps that need to be taken before it can be proven that an exorcism is needed. As well it should be.
 
The devil already possesses the west - without possessing its inhabitants. Wealth and materialism lead the faithful astray, outside of the sheepfold and into the desert of the evil one. No need for possession, as he has lured many to him.

The developing world, in which many pagan and animist religions are practiced, open the door to the demonic. Thus, at least at this time, the need for exorcisms is greater in say, the Caribbean or certain African nations.
 
@po18guy:

I agree with you about Afro-Caribbean possession. There’s an extremely evil practice called Palo Mayombe, which was brought to the Caribbean via Congolese slaves. It’s all about evil curses and hexes. I’m sure it’s a vector for demonic possession. I’m afraid to even read about it.
 
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I would also add that there are probably many people suffering demonic possession who never seek the assistance of the Church. Thus, while exorcism is very rare, demonic possession is probably less so.
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@hopeful3542

You make an excellent point here. People involved in magic, especially black magic, wouldn’t want to give up the powers the demon gives them. And there’s lot of black magic here in the New York metro area, police found evidence of animal sacrifice. I’ll spare you the details. So this Afro-Caribbean stuff is the real deal.
 
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njlisa said:
Recent popes, including Pope Francis, have restated the importance of exorcism in the Church. All psychological and medical factors must be ruled out. Thus few people need exorcisms.

So, why are genuine cases of possession so rare?

I would appreciate any (name removed by moderator)ut.
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Exorcists say that full on possession is not that common, but the other afflictions like obsession, repression are much more common.
Exorcists also say the rise in the affliction of people by demons is at quite a faster pace then in the past. Also that resolving the issue takes much longer, usually a couple of years.
 
They probably don’t announce it all the time when someone needs an exorcist.
 
@St.Leonard
They probably don’t announce it all the time when someone needs an exorcist.
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I agree. After all, the church requires confidentiality. (Source: USCCB)

Is the use of exorcism kept confidential?​

For the integrity of the afflicted person’s reputation as well as for those individuals who might be assisting, the preservation of confidentiality is important. It is also strongly suggested that the identity of the exorcist be kept secret or at most known only to the other priests of the diocese so as not to overwhelm the exorcist with random calls and inquiries.
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What I read from Fr Gabriel Amorth is that possession doesn’t necessarily take on obvious characteristics, like say how it is depicted in Hollywood. If a person is living an irreligious life they may just live their life.
 
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OurLadyofSorrows said:
but the other afflictions like obsession
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I’d like to understand more about this? I’ve been listening to a lot of Father ripperger stocks on YouTube… And I noticed that he mentioned there is something called demonic Obsession… Where is for instance… Say a man like me who is quit pornography for 5 years still has somewhat of a vigilance about not wanting to sin again… Almost to the point where I’m obsessed ? Perhaps a mild form of OCD and scrupulosity? Would this be analogous to demonic Obsession…? Meeting where I am a little bit paranoid of sending question mark almost to the point where the preoccupation does get my way a little bit throughout the day?.. The sixth commandment is perhaps the greatest struggle for most men even according to father ripperger… And even he said in a recent talk on YouTube that underlying lust is actually fear depression and anxiety…

Which I admit any human being here on planet Earth that understands there is a fallen nature of original sin and may do very well and 90% of their life for all good practical purposes but yet understand the Deep dire need for Christ on a regular basis in the form of rosary adiration as well as the Eucharist and Ma… I would think that anybody would be a little bit depressed with sin… And perhaps anxious… If they are anxious about their soul… And that’s what Archbishop Fulton Sheen would write about …that there is an appropriate place for anxiety and appropriate place to be down about the world and it’s sin…
 
The temptation of Satan is one thing, to cede him control over an entire hemisphere?
 
I would suggest keep watching their videos and those of Fr Gary . They discuss this. Add fr Hardon and Bishop Barron too. Talk with your priest also
 
I hope I don’t get in trouble if this is off topic but I always wondered as they see a psychiatrist first and if it is a mental health problem then they decide it isn’t demonic, what happens if someone with schizophrenia is possessed? They will assume it’s just mental health?
 
St.Leonard said:
I hope I don’t get in trouble if this is off topic but I always wondered as they see a psychiatrist first and if it is a mental health problem then they decide it isn’t demonic, what happens if someone with schizophrenia is possessed? They will assume it’s just mental health?
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The process is to rule out all mental health problems as the underlying cause first. Priests and Psychiatrists trained in this area know what to look for in both cases and wont just assume.
 
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