Exorcism Quick Poll

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RoseMary131 said:
What was your perception?
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Just what I had said earlier, in that, I didn’t think this was still going on - at least not on any “mainstream” level. I have friends from India who are members of the same congregation as I that have told me of their own experiences with demons. From speaking with them, I had an idea that demon possession was spoken of more in some of the more underdeveloped countries (in both Catholic and Protestant circles), but I thought of it as more of a cultural belief and not so much as one taught by the Church. I knew nothing of conferences or formal teachings on exorcisms. When I first dug into the internet and the catechism last night, I found that there was more out there than I had thought, but I still did not understand how widely believed (almost universally believed) these things were until this post.
 
jordanf150 said:
Just what I had said earlier, in that, I didn’t think this was still going on - at least not on any “mainstream” level…
but I thought of it as more of a cultural belief and not so much as one taught by the Church…
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What does your congregation teach?
 
jordanf150 said:
Thank you all for the (name removed by moderator)ut and information! I can’t recall and instance of my perception being this far off on an issue. Given the fact that only one out of the forty-something responses so far does not believe in demon possession, is this something that Catholics MUST believe? I understand that there are certain practices or teachings of the Church that laity have the freedom to disagree with, but then there are other tenets that simply must be believed (the deity of Christ, for example). Is this one of those?
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Jordan,

Try this excerpt from Fr. Amorth’s first book An Exorcist Tells His Story:

ignatiusinsight.com/features/framorth_excerpt1_aug04.asp

That is actually Chapter 2 of the first book. I would prefer you could read chapter 1 (The Centrality of Christ) along with it. I highly recommend both of his books as they compliment each other. The second book (An Exorcist Tells His Story 2 is more like an appendix to the first.

What I like best about these books is they are peppered with scriptural citations, and he takes the time to write in a way meant to educate the reader about Christ and the reality of evil. Exorcism is really a secondary focus, as it cannot be understood without the knowledge and context of scriptural and church teaching.

If you look in the catechism… CCC 328-336 and CCC 391-393… you will find what the church teaches about Angels and Demons.

I also recommend Peter Kreeft’s book Angels and Demons: What Do We Really Know About Them. In the back of the book, you will find an appendix with every biblical citation concerning Angels, Devils (Demons), Evil Spirits, The Devil, Satan, and Beelzebub.
 
jordanf150 said:
Thank you all for the (name removed by moderator)ut and information! I can’t recall and instance of my perception being this far off on an issue. Given the fact that only one out of the forty-something responses so far does not believe in demon possession, is this something that Catholics MUST believe? I understand that there are certain practices or teachings of the Church that laity have the freedom to disagree with, but then there are other tenets that simply must be believed (the deity of Christ, for example). Is this one of those?
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The Apostle prayer creed said it all and this is what people believe when they embrace the Catholic faith.

When we get baptized, as a god parent were are to speak on behalf of the baby and we renounce to all Satan wretchedness. An adult if he get baptize, will also renounce it. The child will renew this vow upon his/her confirmation.

I am not sure that i am the best to answer but i can share this with you, nobody imposed any believes on me. When you open your heart and feel the Holy Spirit in you, everything make sense. I don’t even believe, i just know, i don’t even give benefit of doubt i know. What you believe can change over time, but when you know, it is constant and stay with you. God is the truth and i know without a doubt that Satan is real and he is so deceitful in so many ways.

From a science stand of point, for each force there is a counter force. If you know God exist whom he is all good and living in a world of polarity the opposite must be true.

From my heart, i have witnessed God’s miracles and felt him, i have felt love in me i also witnessed sadly the dark, that isn’t pretty.

I fully have faith that the Catholic Faith is the spiritual church that the Apostle of Jesus started (Paul and Peter) and the Holy Spirit guides the Pope. Satan has been seen by many Saints. Sister Faustina witnessed demons on few occasions. Padre Pio also has to deal with angry demons when he would assist to save soul from prayers and his sacrifices.

Being Catholic isn’t necessary a self imposed believe system by the church, your heart is in tune with the Holy Trinity and you go with the Church guidance to become a good soul or stay good. If Hell wouldn’t exist what would have been the point for Jesus to come on earth and to sacrifice himself this way for our own sake and salvation? Clearly, something is real that we believe it or not.

Best luck with your research.
 
RoseMary131 said:
What does your congregation teach?
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Not much, honestly. We solidly believe in the inerrancy of scripture, and therefore believe in the reality of hell, Satan, and his demons. We believe that they did all that is written of them in the Bible. The question, though, is what is their role today, and what limitations are placed on them today? Satan has always been subject to Gods limitations, as with Job when He said ‘you may do this, but not this’. Revelation, likewise speaks of a binding of Satan for a specific purpose - that he not deceive the nations. I think I’m safe to say that those in my congregation believe that Satan and his angels are active in tempting, but most do not believe they are active in commanding our thoughts or actions. You will find varying opinions, though, as it isn’t a matter that is central to our teachings. We do not practice exorcisms, though we certainly pray for each other and work to bear each others’ burdens.
 
Thank you all for the comments that continue to come in - these are very helpful!
 
jordanf150 said:
. We do not practice exorcisms, though we certainly pray for each other and work to bear each others’ burdens.
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I’ve never looked to see which religious beliefs practice exorcisms. I thought it was only the Catholic Church.

As I understand from the little I heard from an exorcist, there is an order of authority when an exorcism takes place. The exorcist priest needs permission (authority) from his bishop in order to perform an exorcism. This information struck me as such a strong showing for “authority”. To me it shows that even the devil is subject to the authority of the Church. (As Catholics we believe that is the one, holy, Catholic, apostolic Church - the Catholic Church.)

(I do not mean to be trying to show which church is the True Church. Just explaining this from a Catholic belief.)

Since an exorcism must be performed by an exorcist priest, and a priest is one who has received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, it seem then that others, such as those in another congregation, denomination or faith would not be able to practice exorcisms. (Which would be, to me, why your congregation and others do not practice these.)

The priesthood in the Catholic Church has apostolic succession, coming down from the apostles, again, a line of authority.

Not all priests perform exorcisms, only those appointed exorcist by their bishop. Then only with the permission of the bishop can the exorcist perform the exorcism.

This line of authority must be in place in order for the evil spirit to be expelled (obey the authority).
 
This strikes me as an excellent and very useful post and poll–it seems wonderful to see how united the Catholic respondents seem, and how thoughtful the responses generally were. I propose prayer for Jordanf150, that he/she may continue to be guided by and responsive to God’s call, may be sincere and honest in the search for Truth, and may return to Ccom.
 
I have talked to priests who have witnessed, a deacon who has performed them, I have always believed and am thankful there are those in the church that performed them.
 
I was intending to comment that I could not recall any other Ccom poll that showed such a high level of consensus, and I wondered why. I was thinking that even though I’ve heard and seen only very little comment on the subject by parish priests and modern writers, Scripture is quite definite about the Powers of Jesus, although I think it’s less clear whether disciples were given specific Powers (Ss Luke and Paul), or rather made access to Divine Power of prayer.
Then I noticed Irishgal’s very appropriate comment that the poll really didn’t cover all the important options: it’s a great lesson that many polls, perhaps most, should not taken at face value. Nevertheless, this is a very useful poll, it would be great to see it improved and reposted.
I frequently re-read sections of the book ‘Healing,’ by Francis MacNutt, who sadly left the priesthood and I presume his Order, but wrote interestingly and comprehensively on many aspects of healing, exocism, and deliverance. I’d be very grateful to see a revised poll, but can’t seem to draft one.
 
If you haven’t done so already, get the book, "Hostage to the Devil, " by Malachi Martin.

It’s the story of five documented cases of demonic possession, by the Catholic Church, from 1948 through the early 1960’s.

The first part of the book he gives an introduction, but with great clarity on how demomic possession takes place.

The stories will disturb your sleep. 😉

Jim
 
Believe but have not witnessed except for in movies which aren’t real, but perhaps based on a true story?
 
I believe in exorcism, however if it is a psychological or medical diagnosis like schizophrenia then I won’t believe.
 
Being a cradle Catholic and practicing all my life, I do believe in the Catholic Church’s teaching on the existence of Demons, Possessions, and the practice of Exorcisms. However, my belief has mostly been shallow because I lacked detail information on these topics until I recently read the book “Possessions, Exorcism, and Hauntings”, by Adam C. Blai, M.S.
This author describes himself as a Religious Demonologist who has studied demons " from a religious perspective". He has been “involved in assisting demonic and human spirit cases for almost ten years” … and has “assisted at dozens and dozens of solemn exorcisms”. He now “trains priests in exorcisms nationally and consults on cases from around the world.”
After reading this book my belief in this subject has deepened in understanding the realities of the spiritual world around us, and the position played by the Catholic Church given to her by Jesus Christ. It is a subject that is difficult to articulate in Catholic catechesis, but I feel there is an urgency to know and spread the truth of the dangers we face with the demonic world, especially today.
 
jordanf150 said:
Please help! I’m studying exorcism and would like to conduct a sort of “man on the street” quick poll of anyone who strolls past this poll. Catholic only, please - I do not want to include Protestants in this poll.

Question(s): Do you believe and do not doubt that actual demon possessions and exorcisms are taking place today? Have you ever seen an exorcism with your own eyes (in person - television does not count)?

Please feel free to add any commentary you have, but I’m looking for one of four answers: 1) Believe and have seen, 2) Believe but have not seen, 3) Do not believe and have not seen, 4) Do not believe even though I witnessed an alleged exorcism.

Thank you Michael for pointing this out - I mean only to inquire on what CCC 1673 calls “a major exorcism”. I understand that an exorcism is performed during baptism.

THANK YOU!
{This is my first poll, so sorry if the polling mechanism gets screwy or doesn’t appear at all}
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Hello, glad to see this post. I believe in Exorcism, but I am not sure if I witnessed or not. (I did not vote yet).

I had a best friend, a few years ago she got “mentally ill” suddenly. She was admitted by Hospital and being cured by mental medicine, I always went to see her and accompanied her in those years. She was in and out of hospital a few times. She has stopped medication because no much use for her. To my surprise her mother said she was poccessed with ghost spirit and insisted about it many times. Her mother only found other religious people to exorcist for her, but sure no use. I have asked her mother to find a priest but she refused many times.

Now my friend has no work and only staying at home for more than 2 years now. No one can find her! She had cut all her contact channels with all of us.

One of the things I feel special was that, when I was with her I would feel “very scared” even she did nothing, and one time I sit besides her I suddenly cried with tears with no reason! I feel some unusual energy in her but cannot tell what.

I always want to know how to distinguish if one is poccessed with ghost spirit, or mentally ill? Could you point out some characteristics? I hope I can help her too (She is atheist, her family believe in buddism and other religious). thanks.
 
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