Opinions on Neal Lozano?

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Vatican II included ecumenical calls; I get it and I understand it and I defer. But: I should think that we Catholics should NEVER water down our Faith just to make friends with those outside the Church.
 
Something I forgot to mention: When my kids saw possible ghosts in their room, I taught them to pray to Jesus; asking Him to make it go away. Laity have no business, at all; directly addressing demons.
 
The issue of calling out demons is a little tricky when it comes to unbound prayer. I want claim to fully understand it, nor will I say that I’m completely comfortable with it. That being said, here’s what I’ve gleaned from discussions with my wife:

When talking about casting out demons, Lozano isn’t talking about performing major exorcisms or anything like that. He’d probably be the first to recommend seeing an exorcist if there is a suspicion of demonic possession or oppression.

What Lozano refers to as “demons” are more along the lines of what the Desert Fathers referred to as the “passions” (which even the Fathers admitted were “demonic” in the lesser sense) - things like the “demon” of lust, bitterness, anger, etc. that tend to plague us at various points of our lives. There’s also the lesser “demon” of bad/hurtful/regretful memories that we tend to brood on. These are the sort of “demons” that Lozano is advocating we pray for freedom from.

I hope that makes sense. Again, I don’t claim to be an expert. This just comes from conversations with my wife. I have found that praying unbound prayer with her has been very freeing at times.
 
Huh, that makes sense. I’d like to hear more about it; as I’ve always respected the Desert Fathers.
 
I have a little bit of experience with Unbound. I’ve read both of his books on the topic and had Unbound “done” on myself. It helped tremendously, at least for a time.

That being said, these are real demons and evil spirits that are being rejected using the Unbound formula. They are not “passions” or anything else. And this is dangerous for lay people to do.

I ran into trouble with the lay Unbound leader/ minister/ pray-er later. It turns out he spread my deepest darkest secrets around to others behind my back, instead of keeping them in confidence as the Unbound model strictly teaches. He also broke protocol many times regarding others he had prayed Unbound with. This led to quite a few problems involving himself, the parish he was operating at, and the archdiocese the parish belongs to.

My point is, Neal Lozano’s writings have to be taken, used, and followed very carefully if good is to come from them, rather than evil.

I advise great caution… or just don’t mess with Unbound or other works by that author at all.
 
Interesting reading. Perhaps we need to bring back The Leonine Prayers at the end of Mass.
Ave María - Hail Mary (3 times)
Salve Regina - Hail Holy Queen

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel


Saint Michael the Archangel (cf. Jude 9), defend us in battle (cf. Rev 12:7);
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil (cf. Eph 6:11).
May God rebuke him (cf. Jude 9), we humbly pray,
and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, (cf. Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Josh 5:14; Lk 2:13)
by the power of God thrust into hell (cf. 2 Pet 2:4)
Satan (cf. Rev 20:1-3a) and all the other evil spirits,
who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls (cf. Job 2:2; 1 Pet 5:8b). Amen.

Or in Latin:

Sancte Míchaël Archángele, defénde nos in prœlio;
contra nequítiam et insídias diáboli esto præsídium.
Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur,
tuque, Princeps milítiæ cæléstis,
Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos,
qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo,
divína virtúte in inférnum detrúde. Amen.


V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
R. Have mercy on us.
 
I agree. My fiancé prays the Saint Michael Prayercafter every Mass and I’ll start doing the same myself.
 
I’m sorry that happened to you, Psychae. That person should’ve had some sort of repercussions happen as a result. NO ONE should ever betray a confidence. I think I’d feel uncomfortable sharing my deepest, darkest secrets with someone other than a priest in Confession. There’s something comforting in the fact that there’s priests who’ll face jail time for contempt of court because they refuse to break the Seal.
 
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The situation has not been without repercussions for that person, for the parish (lack of oversight), and for the archdiocese (not enforcing their own policies), etc.

And I, and others who were affected, have learned to not trust so easily!
 
I’d absolutely remove the book from the chapel. I would then take it to the pastor of the parish in charge of the Chapel and point out the problematic areas. You will likely get a “thank you, I do not have time to monitor everything and so appreciate parishioners who help out!!”
 
I will think about it. As I mentioned above, it’s possible I overreacted to some statements that weren’t so much against Church teaching as they were “open to interpretation”.

Also, the majority of the book that deals with the relations between us and God the Father is good. I can see it being very helpful to a lot of people who have the “stern taskmaster” or “detached guy keeping score” or “guy who punishes people out of the blue” concept of God the Father. I was actually going to recommend it to the forum until I got to these vague statements I mention.
 
Lozano went to a Catholic university and obtained an advanced theology degree.
Speaking of which…Father Benedict Groeschel (RIP) gave a talk on the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. Those who have heard him will understand the following, spoken in his Bronx accent, and particularly because of his wry, ascerbic wit.
“They are not called the theological virtues because theologians necessarily have them…”
I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair. One fine day I hope to tell Fr. Groeschel face-to-face that he may be responsible for my premature death due to laughter.
 
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It sounds like a bear trap was set in the chapel by a parishioner who is being used to sew the seeds of confusion. Just my opinion.
 
I don’t know much about Neal Lozano as a person, and I have never read the book Unbound, but I am very uncomfortable with some of the methods, activities, and beliefs of those who are involved in the Unbound Deliverance Ministry. Some of the beliefs seem very un-Catholic at best and contrary to Catholic teaching at their worst.

I know a number of good and faithful Catholics very strongly believe in it and I am generally skeptical and conservative in my outlook, so take my opinion with that in mind.
 
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