Pope Francis speaks about the Devil

[markomalley]

Sandro Magister, of L’Espresso, has the following which may be of interest to those in this forum:

ROME, May 13, 2013 – In the preaching of Pope Francis, there is one subject that returns with surprising frequency: the devil.

It is a frequency on a par with that with which the same subject recurs in the New Testament. But in spite of this, the surprise remains. If for no other reason than that with his continual references to the devil, pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio parts ways with the current preaching in the Church, which is silent about the devil or reduces him to a metaphor.

In fact, the minimization of the devil is so widespread that it casts its shadow over the very words of the pope. Public opinion, both Catholic and secular, has so far met this insistence of his on the devil with indifference, or at the most with indulgent curiosity.
The Holy Father’s repeated references to the deceiver should not be controversial at all. However, I tend to think that too many of the modernists are utterly afraid to speak of the devil at all. Too divisive or something.

 

[agnes_therese]

I find it SO encouraging that he speaks of the devil as he does. It seems that much of our society, even those who consider themselves religious, have tried to forget that Satan even exists.

 

[Classicist]

The real surprise is probably a consequence of his Jesuit identity. Almost every modern Jesuit I’ve met (or heard) has preferred to call sin a “disorder”, and avoids talk of the Devil like the plague. No one would have expected this from the gentle, soft-spoken, humble Argentinian!

Not only is this shocking in the modern Church, but it’s doubly galling that a member of Ignatius’ band is doing it. People need to hear about - and learn to despise - the Enemy! Benedicamus Domino!

 

[odile53]

The real surprise is probably a consequence of his Jesuit identity. Almost every modern Jesuit I’ve met (or heard) has preferred to call sin a “disorder”, and avoids talk of the Devil like the plague. No one would have expected this from the gentle, soft-spoken, humble Argentinian!

Not only is this shocking in the modern Church, but it’s doubly galling that a member of Ignatius’ band is doing it. People need to hear about - and learn to despise - the Enemy! Benedicamus Domino!

Actually, I know several Jesuits, and *all *of them frequently refer to the enemy (the world, the flesh, and the devil,) as well as “disordered attachments,” both in their preaching and in conversation. By the way, there is no shortage of mention of sin in their homilies, which is why I attend daily Mass at the Jesuit church as opposed to my own parish. Disordered attachments being the root of sin, and the devil being one factor in evil (the lure of worldliness and the desires of the flesh being the two others,) I’d say they’re probably a little more comprehensive than just blaming everything on the devil.

Remember, Christ Himself was tempted by the devil three times in the desert, and the other two factors (food for the flesh, and honor for the lure of worldly respect) were waved in front of Him. I think Saint Ignatius hit the nail on the head, we have to avoid responding to all three instead of just blaming the devil for our sins.

 

[PietroPaolo]

I wonder if his preaching on the devil will eventually begin to include warnings that Hell is real and that many might very well be leading lives that will lead them to damnation. The Holy Father’s warnings about the “Prince of this World” would seem to only be worth making if more than Hitler and Stalin were damned, otherwise who really cares? That would be very interesting (especially seeing how it would play in NCR circles.)

 

[LoveMercyGrace]

It is a very good thing our Holy Father, Pope Francis, speaks of the evil one.

As Satan loves nothing more than the flock walking into apathy.

As our shepard, he is bringing into our awareness ~

Thank you for posting this.

Blessings~

 

[3DOCTORS]

I wonder if his preaching on the devil will eventually begin to include warnings that Hell is real and that many might very well be leading lives that will lead them to damnation. The Holy Father’s warnings about the “Prince of this World” would seem to only be worth making if more than Hitler and Stalin were damned, otherwise who really cares? That would be very interesting (especially seeing how it would play in NCR circles.)

 

[Peebo]

I find it SO encouraging that he speaks of the devil as he does. It seems that much of our society, even those who consider themselves religious, have tried to forget that Satan even exists.

I totally agree…look what the so called sexual revolution of the sixties caused…promiscurity is rampant…so are STD"s…(sexually transmitted diseases)…abortion on demand…one out of two marriages end in divorce…that’s if couples bother to get married at all…single parent homes where children have different fathers…music videos where so called singers use foul language and gyrate around in next to nothing…movies and TV where sex…violence…alternate lifestyles are glorified…not to mention every second word blasphemes the name of our savior…video games for kids that glorify violence…homosexuality is seen as normal…same sex marriage is accepted more and more…greed and corruption in government and society …violence in society…drugs…mass killings…pornography…the “look out for me first” mentality…etc…so why… if we call ourselves a christian nation is there so much evil in our society…the obvious answer is that we are NOT a christian nation…even some who call themselves christians would not consider many of these things listed as either bad or evil…and even if they did they would not be concerned as long as it didn’t interfere with their life…so Satan claims more souls because many christians are to apathetic and centered on themselves to see what is happening…how much longer will our Blessed Mother be able to hold back the righteous anger of her son.

 

[Tigg]

I wonder if his preaching on the devil will eventually begin to include warnings that Hell is real and that many might very well be leading lives that will lead them to damnation.

This is great news - the last time I heard the word Hell in a Catholic Church was about 12 years ago when our (then) totally awesome pastor gave a Lenten mission on the Last Four Things. Maybe there’s even hope now, that the 1999 controversial revision of the Rite of Exorcism be restored to its original order… Church Militant - Grab your swords! :knight2:

 

[marymary1975]

Actually, I know several Jesuits, and *all *of them frequently refer to the enemy (the world, the flesh, and the devil,) as well as “disordered attachments,” both in their preaching and in conversation. By the way, there is no shortage of mention of sin in their homilies, which is why I attend daily Mass at the Jesuit church as opposed to my own parish. Disordered attachments being the root of sin, and the devil being one factor in evil (the lure of worldliness and the desires of the flesh being the two others,) I’d say they’re probably a little more comprehensive than just blaming everything on the devil.

Remember, Christ Himself was tempted by the devil three times in the desert, and the other two factors (food for the flesh, and honor for the lure of worldly respect) were waved in front of Him. I think Saint Ignatius hit the nail on the head, we have to avoid responding to all three instead of just blaming the devil for our sins.

 

[McCall1981]

I’ve been noticing that Pope Francis has been doing this too, and I think it’s fantastic. So important for us to hear.

 

[Saints_Alive]

A lot of trads are up in arms saying Pope Francis is harming the dignity of the Papacy for “doing this” and “not doing that”, but he’s taking an active role in areas he can have an impact. Preaching about Sin, Satan, and Hell is one of them. I love it.

Also, he joined the March For Life in Rome yesterday.
lifesitenews.com/news/pope-surprises-40000-italian-pro-lifers-joins-rome-march-for-life

He has also spoken favorably on the Doctrine of EENS ! (outside the Church there is no salvation)

I hope the average mainstream Catholic is keeping up with him as well as those of us on the forums are. He’s a good pope.

 

[choliks]

Those who are familiar with the Jesuit formation will not find our Holy Father’s preaching about the devil something to be too surprising, because it’s part of the Spiritual Exercises. On the one hand, those undergoing the Exercises are to discern the good and evil spirits. On the other, one has to choose between two standards: that of Christ and of the Evil one.

Derail note: sometimes he sounds like Dumbledore of the Harrypotter series: a wise old man who’s not afraid to mention the name of the one who must not be named.

 

[GangGreen]

about time. I hope at some point this starts to trickle down into the parish level. Too much happy happy stuff coming from the pulpit, it’s time for people to come back to reality.

 

[Dee_S]

Those who are familiar with the Jesuit formation will not find our Holy Father’s preaching about the devil something to be too surprising, because it’s part of the Spiritual Exercises. On the one hand, those undergoing the Exercises are to discern the good and evil spirits. On the other, one has to choose between two standards: that of Christ and of the Evil one.

Derail note: sometimes he sounds like Dumbledore of the Harrypotter series: a wise old man who’s not afraid to mention the name of the one who must not be named.

:thumbsup:that he does…and good for him, it’s about time they remembered who the main enemy is (besides the world and the flesh)

 

[Dee_S]

I find it SO encouraging that he speaks of the devil as he does. It seems that much of our society, even those who consider themselves religious, have tried to forget that Satan even exists.

Very true. They need to get things back in perspective and recognize some ‘home truths’.

The dogma that the devil is given a certain type of power over mankind is pretty much unknown these days, as is the reason for it (consequence of Original Sin). These extract are from *Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma *by Ludwig Ott

"The devil possesses a certain dominion over mankind by reason of Adam’s sin." (De fide.)

The forms of activity permitted in this dominion are well worth noting too
a) The evil spirits seek to do moral injury to mankind through temptation to sin.
(tentatio seductionis)
Man’s will is not forced to sin by the temptations of the devil, but retains its natural freedom. The evil enemy can tempt man only to that extent, which God in His wisdom permits.

b)** The bad spirits seek to harm mankind physically also, through the causing of physical evil** (infestatio)

c) A particular kind of demoniac infestation is possession (obsessio, possessio)

In the determination of demoniac influences credulity must be avoided as much as rationalistic unbelief. Since the causing of physical evils is an extraordinary form of diabolic intervention it must first be ascertained whether these ills can be explained by natural reasons.

 

[Michele_Boyer]

I remember someone saying that satan’s greatest advantage over us is for people to believe he isn’t real.

 

[Saints_Alive]

Check this out … Francis the Exorcist ?

** The Rev. Gabriele Amorth, a leading exorcist for the diocese of Rome, said he performed a lengthy exorcism of his own on the man Tuesday morning and ascertained he was possessed by four separate demons. The case was related to the legalization of abortion in Mexico City, he said.

Amorth told RAI state radio that even a short prayer, without the full rite of exorcism being performed, is in itself a type of exorcism.

"That was a true exorcism," he said of Francis' prayer. "Exorcisms aren't just done according to the rules of the ritual."**

Read more here…
rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2013/05/francis-versus-lucifer.html

 

[Qwikness]

I remember someone saying that satan’s greatest advantage over us is for people to believe he isn’t real.

I believe that was from the Usual Suspects.

 

[Michele_Boyer]

I believe that was from the Usual Suspects.

I’m not familiar with Unusual Suspects. Is that a book, or some other writing? And where could I find it. I believe I heard it, oddly, from a Catholic friend who has since become an agnostic.