Is demonic possession real?

[RosaryFan]

Does the Church still consider demonic possession real? Or does the Church consider it mere mental illness, as the rest of society does?

I am wondering if it is possible for people to actually invite the devil to possess them. There was a horrific murder case recently that has made me question whether the murderer is possessed, and in fact welcomed the devil into her life. She became involved in the online Goth culture, where talk of death and destruction is common, and in fact encouraged. The chilling poem she wrote about her own family (whom she murdered, with the aid of her 23 year old boyfriend) seems like something written by a demon, and not a mere 12 year old school girl.

What is the Church’s current position on demonic possession?

The Church surely believes demonic possession is possible. Although, not common. Many cases would merely be mental illness - I’m sure.

However, I think secular society doesn’t give the devil enough credit. He’s out there tempting and conniving. His most likely victims are those who doubt his existence.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Demonic possession is real, as is demonic obsession. Obsession is much more prevalent.

ignatiusinsight.com/features/framorth_excerpt1_aug04.asp

saint-mike.org/qa/sw/default.aspQUOTE]

Yes, and also demonic oppression.

 

[teresa_lamb]

Yes it’s real. We had our priest, who was from the philippines share his exorcism experience with us…he, himself was terrified!

 

[King_Lazy]

The Church’s unchanging position on demonic possession is that it is real.

Sometimes psychiatric illness can appear similar to demonic possession, but the two can be distinguished.

Not all evil people are possessed, however. Man is capable of rebelling against God in much the same way as the rebellious angel, Satan, did. As for the girl in question, she may well have been possessed, but it is also possible that she was simply very evil, or perhaps terribly misguided on account of her age. We cannot know for certain.

Unlike the fallen angels, even very evil human beings can repent and be forgiven by God for their wrongdoings, so we should pray for the souls of the girl and her boyfriend that they may change their ways and in God’s mercy be forgiven for their terrible crime.

 

[jc4751]

He had his faculties removed. I believe that he might not be the best source. Stick to Father Gabrielle Amorth. He is approved 100%. He is not as sensational as Malachi Martin.

Martin’s book was an account of five representative exorcism cases, based on interviews with the exorcists involved in them. If I remember correctly, Martin had never done an actual exorcism himself.

Reading the book, I don’t recall throwing a BS flag on any of it and found it to be pretty spooky.

Speaking of exorcism in general, I’m surprised that many so-called “Bible believers” don’t believe in exorcism and possession, and even some otherwise good Catholics don’t. I’m at a loss to understand people who want to follow good but don’t understand there is evil preying on us as well.