Ghosts and Hauntings

[Dempsey1919]

Some people live through terrible hauntings. They live in fear and don’t know what to do. Many end up leaving their homes because they can’t cope.

These days, there are a lot of TV shows which deal with this sort of thing. Many of these shows feature paranormal investigators who use psychics as a means to communicate with the spirits. This is generally successful.

In a lot of cases, any efforts to have the house blessed by a priest or pastor only serves to make things worse. Others have also made things worse by ordering the entities to leave “in the name of Jesus.” Why is this ineffective? It doesn’t seem to help.

Experiencing a haunting makes people more religious. They start praying and many decorate their homes with religious pictures and items in the hope that this will prevent any unwanted spiritual activity. However, I am right in thinking that none of this will work if the person doesn’t have faith?

Also, does the average person have the power to fight the spirits or demons? Does the average Priest have the power to exorcise demons and spirits? Prior to the 1970’s, all Priests received the Minor Order of Exorcist and many even received specialist training on how to exercise this role. Are modern parish priests equipped to deal with the paranormal?

I know that the Chief Exorcist of Rome, Fr Gabriel Amorth, has said that there is a serious lack of priests who are able to deal with this sort of thing. To fix this, Pope Benedict is actively encouraging the creation of more Exorcists.

What does the Church teach about ghosts? How does it deal with this activity? What can a Catholic do to stop hauntings?

Also, is there anybody here who has experienced a haunting? What did you do to fight this?

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

I was told that every Diocese tries to have at least one Exorcist priest. Frankly I think all priests should have the ability. I though believe that Priests can heal. There is this thing we all forget to remember. It is called Faith. If a priest has enough faith quality faith and trust in Christ he can if allowed by Jesus resurrect someone who has passed. My personal belief. Yes I have had many experiences with hauntings. Talking to the dead is a sin channeling is a sin. Talking to your guardian angel or a saint. Always ask through our lord Jesus Christ. Only through him. Those tv shows are not false but they are fooling around with something they shouldn’t. Scoob.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

I forgot to also say when it comes to faith a priest can cast out demons if Jesus will allow. but your diocese should have a priest that can do it. It is very hard I hear to have a priest perform an excorsism (SP?) a lot of red tape. Just like everything else these days. Scoob.

 

[beckycmarie]

These days, there are a lot of TV shows which deal with this sort of thing. Many of these shows feature paranormal investigators who use psychics as a means to communicate with the spirits. This is generally successful.

In a lot of cases, any efforts to have the house blessed by a priest or pastor only serves to make things worse. Others have also made things worse by ordering the entities to leave “in the name of Jesus.” Why is this ineffective? It doesn’t seem to help.

From the point of view of a demon, what you’re describing makes sense. If the activity is truly demonic, then demons know they can trick a lot of viewers into major sin by convincing them that psychics and mediums and whatnot are effective, priests and prayers are not.

Experiencing a haunting makes people more religious. They start praying and many decorate their homes with religious pictures and items in the hope that this will prevent any unwanted spiritual activity. However, I am right in thinking that none of this will work if the person doesn’t have faith?

I would imagine if the person has no faith, then the use of religious articles is superstition.

Also, does the average person have the power to fight the spirits or demons? Does the average Priest have the power to exorcise demons and spirits? Prior to the 1970’s, all Priests received the Minor Order of Exorcist and many even received specialist training on how to exercise this role. Are modern parish priests equipped to deal with the paranormal?

Beyond praying for yourself and others, people should not attempt to “fight” demons. A person can open themselves up to a lot of problems by doing things to provoke them and/or communicate with demons as folks in ghost hunting shows do. I think the worst offending show in that regard is Paranormal State; some of the things they do are downright dangerous and stupid.

If someone thinks they are demonized, seeking the advice of a priest is the best first step.

What can a Catholic do to stop hauntings?

Get your house blessed, pray, and live the Christ life.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=3980970&postcount=33

 

[melbourne_guy]

Hey guys, You know who else can cast out demons more effectively than priests… psychologist’s!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Hey guys, You know who else can cast out demons more effectively than priests… psychologist’s!

A good psychologist will recognize where his area of expertise ends and when to refer a patient to a priest…and a good priest when to refer the person to a psychologist…

 

[Dempsey1919]

Frankly I think all priests should have the ability.

Canon Law states:

Can. 1172 §1. No one can perform exorcisms legitimately upon the possessed unless he has obtained special and express permission from the local ordinary.

§2. The local ordinary is to give this permission only to a presbyter who has piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life.

In theory, any Priest could peform an Exorcism if permission was granted, although it does state that the priest must have “piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity.” This would imply that any priests wanting to perform Exorcisms would have to undergo specialist training.

I forgot to also say when it comes to faith a priest can cast out demons if Jesus will allow. but your diocese should have a priest that can do it. It is very hard I hear to have a priest perform an excorsism (SP?) a lot of red tape. Just like everything else these days. Scoob.

Rome’s Chief Exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, has stated that there aren’t enough exorcists to cope with the increasing numbers of paranormal cases around the world. However, Pope Benedict is aware of this and is taking steps to ensure that more priests are trained in this area:

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-504969/Popes-exorcist-squads-wage-war-Satan.html

Thankfully, our Holy Father is ensuring that we do not run out of exorcists who are capable of doing battle with the evil one.

Father Amorth also believes that more exorcisms should be performed without the red tape. He stated that the best way to discover if someone is possessed is through an Exorcism! If it turns out that an individual is not possessed, the exorcism wouldn’t hurt them.

On a side note, I’ve also read that the new rite of Exorcism is woefully inadequate and that the majority of experienced Exorcists continue to use the older rite from the 1600’s. Father Amorth has called the new rite a “farce.” Here is an article about it:

Fr Gabriel Amorth on the Reform of the Rite of Exorcism
freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1320032/posts

 

[melbourne_guy]

A good psychologist will recognize where his area of expertise ends and when to refer a patient to a priest…and a good priest when to refer the person to a psychologist…

You cant be serious
I dont think theres a univeristy out there that would train a psychologist to refer any patients to a catholic priest. I also highly doubt there would be any pyschologist stupid enough to do it. Its the 21st century we now have a good idea about how the brain works and great medication, sending a patient to a priest who knows nothing about mental health would be grounds for a lawsuit.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

You cant be serious
I dont think theres a univeristy out there that would train a psychologist to refer any patients to a catholic priest. I also highly doubt there would be any pyschologist stupid enough to do it. Its the 21st century we now have a good idea about how the brain works and great medication, sending a patient to a priest who knows nothing about mental health would be grounds for a lawsuit.

Woops! What I meant was, a good psychologist recognizes when the problems is spiritual and needs a priest…and a good priest will recognize when the problem is psychological/mental and to refer the person to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

melbourne_guyHey guys, You know who else can cast out demons more effectively than priests… psychologist’s!

I believe in ‘troublesome demons’ (spiritual problem) and I think the psychologist would likely not be effective, whereas a priest will be likely effective. I dont think the psychologist is necessarily always more effective than a priest. I had a look at your pofile and we may hold different beliefs re the spiritual realm.

Blessings…Barb

 

[beckycmarie]

Barb, check out Melbourne Guy’s profile. . .not point in arguing the existence of demons since he hasn’t even made up his mind on whether or not God exists.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Barb, check out Melbourne Guy’s profile. . .not point in arguing the existence of demons since he hasn’t even made up his mind on whether or not God exists.

Hi Beckycmarie…Yeah, I had a look at his profile after this post:

melbourne_guyHey guys, You know who else can cast out demons more effectively than priests… psychologist’s!

…and suspected/realized that we probably had a totally different viewpoint re the spiritual realm and the existence of demons…coming from different viewpoints. Be that as it may, I think that even an athiest psychologist would realize if the patient with which he/she was dealing did not have a psychological problem, but rather a spiritual one and that he/she was not qualified, suggesting the person talk with a priest. Just as a priest would realize that the person did not have a spiritual problem, rather a psychological problem and he was not qualified and suggest the person see a psychologist or psychiatrist. Of course “spiritual problem” does not necessarily mean anything connected with demons.
Psychology and also psychiatry, although the movement is minimal but growing, are now coming to admit that the person does actually have a spiritual dimension and problems in this dimension may necessitate referring to a priest/suggesting the person address the problem(s) to a priest.

Thank you for the nudge…Barb

 

[melbourne_guy]

Barb, check out Melbourne Guy’s profile. . .not point in arguing the existence of demons since he hasn’t even made up his mind on whether or not God exists.

Yes, theres no evidence for a god, theres no evidence aginst one either, therefor im agnostic. Its a simple concept.

 

[beckycmarie]

Yes, theres no evidence for a god, theres no evidence aginst one either, therefor im agnostic. Its a simple concept.

There’s plenty of evidence for God through philosophical proofs. I hope you take the time to check out philsophy professor Peter Kreeft’s Arguments for God’s Existence.

I find the argument from design particularly compelling. But if you don’t have the patience or interest in reading all that, here’s an animated flash version of the argument from design:

**The Watchmaker
**

 

[melbourne_guy]

There’s plenty of evidence for God through philosophical proofs. I hope you take the time to check out philsophy professor Peter Kreeft’s Arguments for God’s Existence.

I find the argument from design particularly compelling. But if you don’t have the patience or interest in reading all that, here’s an animated flash version of the argument from design:

**The Watchmaker
**

Im extremely open minded and although iv been through the watchmaker argument about 1000 times im going to give it another shot. I’ll read all the material and links you gave me and ill reply soon either tonight or tomorow night. I will provide you also with two short vids on the watchmaker (argument from design) and ill hope you give me the same courtesy and review mine.

 

[beckycmarie]

Im extremely open minded and although iv been through the watchmaker argument about 1000 times im going to give it another shot. I’ll read all the material and links you gave me and ill reply soon either tonight or tomorow night. I will provide you also with two short vids on the watchmaker (argument from design) and ill hope you give me the same courtesy and review mine.

Sure - but we may need to start a new thread, probably over in apologetics to discuss this.

 

[saylo]

This is second hand but here goes:

I know a person who lived alone in an small, old house. She had been experiencing noises of movements from time to time. She even caught glimpses of an entity.

Now, this woman is a very devout Catholic and raised in the Faith and is, as I know her, a holy person.

One evening, before her bedtime, the entity appeared directly in front of her; it said nothing; just faced her.

She demanded, "Who are you? Why are you here?

No response.

She then said, “Go to the Light…go to Jesus…and I will have a Mass said for you and say a rosary for you as well. Leave this house!”

After her promises , the entity was gone…it has been at least 10 years.

She was so grounded in the Faith there was no fear in her. This is to show the power of God.

For what it’s worth…believe it or not.

 

[Dempsey1919]

This is second hand but here goes:

I know a person who lived alone in an small, old house. She had been experiencing noises of movements from time to time. She even caught glimpses of an entity.

Now, this woman is a very devout Catholic and raised in the Faith and is, as I know her, a holy person.

One evening, before her bedtime, the entity appeared directly in front of her; it said nothing; just faced her.

She demanded, "Who are you? Why are you here?

No response.

She then said, “Go to the Light…go to Jesus…and I will have a Mass said for you and say a rosary for you as well. Leave this house!”

After her promises , the entity was gone…it has been at least 10 years.

She was so grounded in the Faith there was no fear in her. This is to show the power of God.

For what it’s worth…believe it or not.

This is a great story.

The reaction of your friend is very rare; most people assume that the haunting is demonic, and that you have to “fight” to force the Spirit to leave.

It sounds as if the entity was human, and that it possibly was a Holy Soul who was reaching out to your friend. Regardless of whether my theory is correct, I am pleased that your friend was able to stop the hauntings.

 

[latin_rite]

Hey guys, You know who else can cast out demons more effectively than priests… psychologist’s!

LULZ! OK i lol’ed at that. I too think that a good psychologist will dispel most “demons”. I also think that sometimes a priest can do what a psychologist can’t. As far as the patient might be so engrossed in their delirium that the only way to get rid of it is by using something that they have always believed will get rid of such things. a sort of placebo effect. Now i have said most demons. because as a catholic and a believer of it’s traditions and beliefs I believe that there are things as demons. i Understand as an agnostic you don’t or won’t until you see hard evidence, and i totally understand that. Most “ghost/demons” stories i hear are met with great skepticism. I think they were either seeing things or hearing things and that there is a rational explanation to their experiences. and i would think that of every Ghost/demon story I’ve ever heard. Until i moved into our old house. It was a single floor house but was built up on stilts, because we were in a flood way. On our first night in our new house my wife and i were laying in bed at around 11.30pm when we heard child footsteps running up our long hallway. i commented to my wife that here they come. fully expecting one of our young kids who might be a little scared ont their first night in a new house, to come bursting into our room. But nothing. I got up to check and they were all fast asleep. i just put it down to the house settling. the next night around the same time the same thing. you could clearly hear the footsteps running down our hallway. this went on consecutive nights. after a few nights i put it down to our next door neighbours. whose house was very close to ours and whose bedroom window matched up to our end bedroom window. i thought it was their kid running round late at night. then after a few weeks they went away for a few nights. and we still heard the running footsteps. it went on for the entire time we lived there (about 7 years). my wife and kids experienced a few strange sightings or glimpses. i could go on about, but since the running footsteps are the only things i witnessed that’s all I’ll talk about. believe me i racked my brain for excuses. but couldn’t find any.
That’s why now when someone says they experience any strange happenings i would think “nah don’t be silly. there is nothing just all in your mind or you misinterpeted something you saw or heard”. But now…well there is always that little doubt in the back of my mind that wont allow me to dismiss it entirely

 

[melbourne_guy]

Sure - but we may need to start a new thread, probably over in apologetics to discuss this.

sure, id actually rather start a new thread better then having our debate ended half way through.I’ll start one over the next couple of days.