How do you believe someone who claims to be "possessed" by the Santo Nino?

[Yoyoy]

We have this family friend who claims and acts like he’s being possessed by the Santo Nino and I have my doubts.

First, I don’t doubt the existance of Santo Nino, I know he exists… but it’s hard for me to believe that he takes “possession” of this person’s body and speaks to us.

What makes it hard to believe is that this person that gets “possessed” is quite a sinner and isn’t exactly a “model” Christian.

What do you guys think?

Fake or Real?

Anyone have similar experiences… not limited to Santo Nino.
Thanks.

 

[The_Stig]

It’s not up to you.

Lure him into your car and deposit him at the diocesan chancery. Let your Bishop worry about it.

 

[Yoyoy]

Thanks for the reply.

I have a feeling the guy is a phony but a family member fully buys his story.

I may talk to a priest about this.

 

[Reynardus]

I read a book by an exorcist priest and said that God, the Blessed Virgin and the Saints do NOT possess people. When they want something done, they deliver a message through an angel, apparition, internal locution etc. etc.

It is up to the recipient (free will) whether or not he obeys the request (call it a a test of obedience or an application of the saying: God will not save us without our permission) and the local bishop’s task is to discern whether or not the phenomena is supernatural, natural or negatively preternatural. The latter is very important since it’s the local bishop who has the right to declare whether or not a certain supernatural phenomena comes from God or not and some saints have confirmed that obedience to the bishop/ecclesiastical authorities is a sign that the phenomena is legit.

Going back to the subject, Possession is taking someone’s body by force and that negates free will.

A maid of ours mentioned something similar. She said a local girl in her province was possessed by the Blessed Virgin and there was some psychic phenomenon happening as well. Ten men couldn’t move her from the spot she was praying or something like that. I doubt the local bishop would approve though.

By all means, talk to a priest about it.

 

[Yoyoy]

I attempted to call our local priest and he said he will call me back about the subject.

So far the guy is not scamming is for money. That’s something I’m closely watching. I do notice that he takes advantage of people by asking lots of favor but I reject him all the time.

 

[lobster]

Going back to the subject, Possession is taking someone’s body by force and that negates free will.

Actually possession does not take away a person’s free will as nothing and no one can take that away. Free will is a gift from God which evil spirits are powerless to take from a person. Possession is a phenomenon in which a persons body is taken control over with or without the person’s consent. Evil spirits can make a person’s body perform actions he does not will. There are examples of persons previously possessed who recount that they wanted desperately to be freed from their bondage, yet were powerless to do anything about it.