Pope orders exorcism squads; tackle rise of Satanism

[Julianna]

By saying all Dioceses must have at least (insert favorite number here) Exorcists.

the poster previous to my comment…stated force people to do what he wants? I wasn’t referring to the Diocese as a whole, I was thinking that comment meant force “Catholics” (people) to do what he (the Pope) wants. My question, how does he do that (force people to do what he wants)?

This whole exorcism thing is way overblown…the last comment about mental illness…is only going to take us back to the Salem Witch hunts…not a good idea.

But I would still like to know…how the pope is going force people to do what he wants.

 

[SemperFidelis]

the poster previous to my comment…stated force people to do what he wants? I wasn’t referring to the Diocese as a whole, I was thinking that comment meant force “Catholics” (people) to do what he (the Pope) wants. My question, how does he do that (force people to do what he wants)?

This whole exorcism thing is way overblown…the last comment about mental illness…is only going to take us back to the Salem Witch hunts…not a good idea.

But I would still like to know…how the pope is going force people to do what he wants.

I was speaking about the Diocese, and didn’t realize you were speaking about the people. Sorry. Pope Benedict XVI could require a Diocese to have so many more Exorcists than currently required. That would be a good start. However, I don’t know how you can compare the Salem Witch Hunts to today’s Exorcists. Exorcists were plentiful in the Church during the first half of the 20th century, and there were no “witch hunts” that would compare to the Salem trials. That might be a little bit of an overeaction.

 

[Teelynn]

Spiritual warfare is more intense than ever now, it seems… Or perhaps it’s always been that way, and I’ve just… I don’t know… opened my eyes lately or something.

People always think, “Oh, that person’s not possessed. It’s just a mental illness.” But perhaps such illnesses are sometimes manifestations of a possession… Who knows but God?

Exorcists are sorely needed. People don’t seem to see the need.

You hit the nail on the head. As I have said so many times before, Satan’s greatest tactic is to make himself disappear from the landscape. “People don’t seem to see the need.” Perfect for his manipulation. He can just set up shop very nice and comfy like. I can imagine he’s saying; “I’ll just boodle right in here and make myself at home while these blind idiots all but deny my existence, and some of these fools even do that! I’ll have myself a freakin free for all!”

 

[ancilla_Domini]

Yeah, I don’t think it would cause another witch hunt; it would just open people to the idea that possession is another possibility in a mental illness. Don’t get me wrong; I was a psychology major in college. So I believe that a lot of people who are mentally ill actually are. But there may be a few - a lot or a little - that may be possessed. In this day and age, we never know.

 

[Teelynn]

If anything the Catholic Church has always been more than cautious about classifying a case as needing an exorcism. It’s hardly like they run in there at the first request and perform an exorcism. It takes alot of examination by qualified Medical Dr.s and Psychologists before they even consider it. The last thing I would worry about is a witch hunt. You’re right ancilla, at least it might open people up to the idea that at times we really do have Satan to contend with. He is alive and well on planet earth and we can’t be stupid enough in our modern day sophisticated thinking to ignore and deny him. By that kind of attitude we are playing right into his hands.

 

[Teelynn]

Apparently Blessed Pope John XXIII removed that prayer to St. Michael at the end of mass, why

That’s a good question. I would love to know why that was ever done myself.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have no expectation of ever being able to determine who might be possessed and who might not. But one thing does make me wonder just a bit.

I recall once having a conversation with a psychiatrist about what he called “socialized psychopaths”; people who are seemingly normal and functional in every way, but act without conscience consistently (but carefully, never getting into trouble with the law).

Psychologists and psychiatrists still have no idea what causes sociopathology. They only know that it exists and what its manifestations are.

I have also read about what is called “perfect possession”, when the person fully consents to possession. No bizarre manifestations like speaking in languages or climbing walls or anything. A “perfectly possessed” person superficially resembles nothing so much as a socialized psychopath.

Not trying to start some argument about psychology here, and I know some people have theories about the causes of sociopathology. All I can say is that it is extremely disconcerting and profoundly baffling when one encounters it. It seems distinctly “un-human” when one does.

 

[DJgang]

Yeah, I don’t think it would cause another witch hunt; it would just open people to the idea that possession is another possibility in a mental illness. Don’t get me wrong; I was a psychology major in college. So I believe that a lot of people who are mentally ill actually are. But there may be a few - a lot or a little - that may be possessed. In this day and age, we never know.

And, as a psychology major, you may agree with me, when I suggest that mental illness (coming first) can open an individual up to a sinful life, resulting in possible diabolic influences.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

And, as a psychology major, you may agree with me, when I suggest that mental illness (coming first) can open an individual up to a sinful life, resulting in possible diabolic influences.

Do you think it’s worth it for people with psychological issues to call the diocese and ask about being exorcized? Or is that for very serious cases only?

 

[Julianna]

And, as a psychology major, you may agree with me, when I suggest that mental illness (coming first) can open an individual up to a sinful life, resulting in possible diabolic influences.

You’ve got to be kidding…right? Mental illness can open people up to a sinful life? Get real. Why do you give Satan that much credence? It’s like it’s hiding around a corner, looking for people who have mental illnesses so it can have it’s way with them. Do you all honestly think that our God would allow this? Seems you are more afraid of Satan than you are aware of the fact that God is with you, protecting you. You are the ones playing into Satan’s hands by giving it the name recognition and the paralyzing fear you are instilling in people who may have had some severe trauma in their lives and are having trouble coping.

Unbelievable that this day and age enlightened people who state they follow the **letter of the law **of the Church can openly give credence to evil and throw suspect to those who may have emotional problems.

God casts out all fear, or did you miss that class?

 

[Teelynn]

You’ve got to be kidding…right? Mental illness can open people up to a sinful life? Get real. Why do you give Satan that much credence? It’s like it’s hiding around a corner, looking for people who have mental illnesses so it can have it’s way with them. Do you all honestly think that our God would allow this? Seems you are more afraid of Satan than you are aware of the fact that God is with you, protecting you. You are the ones playing into Satan’s hands by giving it the name recognition and the paralyzing fear you are instilling in people who may have had some severe trauma in their lives and are having trouble coping.

Unbelievable that this day and age enlightened people who state they follow the **letter of the law **of the Church can openly give credence to evil and throw suspect to those who may have emotional problems.

God casts out all fear, or did you miss that class?

First of all, possession is an extremely rare thing. Satan usually does not work this way. But it CAN happen. The church takes this stance openly. In the past however, there have been many theologians in the hierarchy that have totally discounted this possibility all together. It wasn’t even a blot on the telescope. It was superstitious to even acknowledge that this COULD happen. We were too intellectually sophisticated for that. Therefore no one even wanted to acknowledge that Satan even existed, let alone would ever possess anyone. They threw the baby out with the bathwater.
I am no psychology major, but common sense tells me that people with mental illness are just that…people with mental illness. They need professional care. I think what people are saying is that there is a POSSIBILITY that in some far and few between cases evil is labeled as “mental illness.” Look at Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Richard Speck. They are forever picking their brains apart looking to diagnose the exact illness that caused their psychopathic behavior. Come on, evil is evil. What they did was supremely evil! Not that THEY were evil, but they were certainly influenced by evil. That is a fact jack! Now, were these men just mentally ill? You tell me. But in cases such as these, I think we need not discount evil altogether as we have tended to in the past. I don’t see any witch hunts going on anywhere. Certainly not in the Catholic Church. They have always aired on the side of caution and skepticism, and I don’t see that changing any time soon… rightly so. But evil has been all but obliterated from the landscape for too long. It DOES EXIST, and if people don’t acknowledge that, we are in TROUBLE.

 

[Dtmccameron]

Yes evil exists, but theres no way to regulate or fight it when every time it rears its ugly head, it does so under the guise of “mental illness”. People need to stop nitpicking about why or what caused a crime, yes it’s important to stop it from happening again, but that should have absolutly no affect on the punishment of the crime.

And as for the Pope’s army of exorcists, woulnd’t the Pope be just as pleased with a regular army again? I mean, he’s got the most elite guards is the whole world, but still, every holy man needs an army, right? I know I’d join…

Ah, remember the good ol’ days…when the Papal States existed…No I don’t suppose anyone alive does, but still, twas a great time when His Holiness had REAL ABSOLUTE, TANGIBLE PHYSICAL POWER. I mean, we need something to combat the armies of Satan’s followers, something human. The Priests can fight on the Spiritual plane, but that doesn’t really protect them from a bullet, does it? Nay, that why we have to be there.

 

[ancilla_Domini]

…common sense tells me that people with mental illness are just that…people with mental illness. They need professional care. I think what people are saying is that there is a POSSIBILITY that in some far and few between cases evil is labeled as “mental illness.”

Yes, that’s what I mean. You put it better than I did.

 

[DJgang]

You’ve got to be kidding…right? Mental illness can open people up to a sinful life? Get real. Why do you give Satan that much credence? It’s like it’s hiding around a corner, looking for people who have mental illnesses so it can have it’s way with them. Do you all honestly think that our God would allow this? Seems you are more afraid of Satan than you are aware of the fact that God is with you, protecting you. You are the ones playing into Satan’s hands by giving it the name recognition and the paralyzing fear you are instilling in people who may have had some severe trauma in their lives and are having trouble coping.

Unbelievable that this day and age enlightened people who state they follow the **letter of the law **of the Church can openly give credence to evil and throw suspect to those who may have emotional problems.

God casts out all fear, or did you miss that class?

No, dear, I am not kidding. And BTW, I haven’t missed a class…just had to add that sacrasm didn’t ya? Well, it is unnecessary.

 

[DJgang]

Do you think it’s worth it for people with psychological issues to call the diocese and ask about being exorcized? Or is that for very serious cases only?

As someone has mentioned previously, exorcisms can come in the form of a Blessing from a Priest. A person who is encouraged to receive the Sacraments of the Church, receive blessings from the Priest and even, be prayed over by a group of people, praying prayers of deliverance, can help that person.

The Church, again, as mentioned before, has an outline of what qualifications should be met before attempting a exorcism.

No, not everyone with psychological issues should call the diocese…gee, that’s not what I was saying.

I KNOW mental illness can hurt an individual and open them up to evil. Lead them away from God…I know because I’ve been a victim myself. I don’t like being told that I give Satan too much credit or anything, when one starts leading a sinful like, Satan loves it.

 

[Teelynn]

Yes, that’s what I mean. You put it better than I did.

I knew that’s what you were trying to say. I don’t think anyone here is promoting casting suspicion on mentally ill people.

Interestingly enough, I remember hearing a talk given by one of the priests on relevant radio that suggested that people with psychological problems were of course encouraged to seek good professional care and after that they are encouraged to receive the sacraments regularly, especially reconcilliation and the Eucharist for God’s grace and protection. In fact, even if a person comes for help for what they think might be the influence of evil, the first thing priests are trained to do is to counsel them to receive the sacraments, and to seek professional help. And that when these people follow through and start going to confession regularly and receiving the Eucharist (along with whatever other outside help they are getting) the healing he sees in them is absolutely miraculous. He says he has never seen this approach fail. So actually an “exorcism” not in the strict sense of the word, can be accomplished by simply receiving the sacraments.
How awesomely powerful is that!! So yes, Satan has been allowed to roam the earth and once in a while hang on us like glue, but God is soooooo much more powerful. All we have to do is keep our eyes on the Lord and avail ourselves to the sacraments (His all powerful weapons given for us) and nope there is nothing to be afraid of ever!!

 

[ancilla_Domini]

Yep! I The Sacraments are the best medicine for what ails us.