Should we avoid possibly possessed people?

[abidinginhim]

What should a person do if they suspect someone is more than just mentally ill, but may in fact be possessed or something? This is going to sound weird, but there is a person that seems to be possessed or something at a church group that I’ve been attending. It creeps me out and makes me feel like not going back to the group. Is there any danger being in the same room with someone that might be possessed? I’m confused about the whole thing.

 

[beckycmarie]

Unless you are an exorcist, you are not qualified to diagnose someone as possessed, so it is best not to speculate whether someone is possessed. If you have the charism of discernment of spirits, you might be able to detect the presence of an evil spirit, but the presence of an evil spirit does not necessarily mean someone is possessed. There are other less intense levels of demonization, such as oppression.

It would be highly unusual for someone who is possessed to regularly attend a Church function. Possessed people tend to have a strong aversion to Church.

As far as any danger of being in the presence of someone who is demonized, generally if you are in the state of grace demons will leave you alone. But even if they do bother you, remember that God is in charge, and demons cannot attack you unless God permits it for your own good in the long run (see CCC #395 and Romans 8:28).

Instead of fleeing from this person, continue to attend the group and pray for him or her.

 

[mangy_dog]

What should a person do if they suspect someone is more than just mentally ill, but may in fact be possessed or something? This is going to sound weird, but there is a person that seems to be possessed or something at a church group that I’ve been attending. It creeps me out and makes me feel like not going back to the group. Is there any danger being in the same room with someone that might be possessed? I’m confused about the whole thing.

Even if, and this is a big if, because only a priest [appointed by the local bishop] can make the proper evaluation to determine if demonic possession is evident,…you are in no danger.

Demonic possession is not contagious. That it “creeps you out” is a somewhat natural reaction to the praeternatural manisfestation.

A demon possessed person does not manifest all the time and has periods of behavior in which they appear quite normal and can even attend mass and or prayer meetings without external evidence of their presence.

You could bring your worries to the attention of a priest and/or the family of the person.

I have seen persons either oppressed or possessed by the demon, attending a Charismatic prayer group - where the prayer of liberation and healing was so powerful that it made the demon manifest it’s presence in a physically violent way. The person is liberated and by following up with frequent Confession and Communion, has seen himself free of this scourge.

My dear friend, do not fear. Instead trust in the power of prayer and above all in the powerful name of Jesus.

 

[Snugglebugmom]

I second what Beckycmarie said: continue to attend the group and pray for this person. I do not believe you are in any danger, even if (big if!) this person is possessed. If it is a case of possession, all the more reason to pray fervently for him or her to be freed.

 

[carzupan]

There is a really good book written by a priest who was an exorcist in New York for years. The book is Hostage to the Devil by Malachi Martin. Highly recommend!

 

[Party_Priest]

Maybe you have the gift of discernment…The Holy Ghost gives me a disturbing feeling in my spirit whenever I see someone who has a demon in them…possession is rare…they could be oppressed. Just pray the Rosary and the prayer against Satan and the rebellious angels and Psalm 91 and Psalm 68:1-2 and any other warfare prayers you can find, like August Queen of Heaven…

I’m not too sure if you should just wait for the demon to manifest or if you should just alert a priest…

I try and avoid touching the person who has the demon because the demon can enter you through touch…wear sacramentals like the St. Benedict’s Crucifix and bless yourself with holy water and maybe you should give this person some sacramentals and prayers

Confession, Communion, Scripture, Fasting, Prayer!

 

[Party_Priest]

Maybe you have the gift of discernment…The Holy Ghost gives me a disturbing feeling in my spirit whenever I see someone who has a demon in them…possession is rare…they could be oppressed. Just pray the Rosary and the prayer against Satan and the rebellious angels and Psalm 91 and Psalm 68:1-2 and any other warfare prayers you can find, like August Queen of Heaven…

I’m not too sure if you should just wait for the demon to manifest or if you should just alert a priest…

I try and avoid touching the person who has the demon because the demon can enter you through touch…wear sacramentals like the St. Benedict’s Crucifix and bless yourself with holy water and maybe you should give this person some sacramentals and prayers

Confession, Communion, Scripture, Fasting, Prayer!

 

[Holly3278]

What should a person do if they suspect someone is more than just mentally ill, but may in fact be possessed or something? This is going to sound weird, but there is a person that seems to be possessed or something at a church group that I’ve been attending. It creeps me out and makes me feel like not going back to the group. Is there any danger being in the same room with someone that might be possessed? I’m confused about the whole thing.

First of all, welcome to Catholic Answers Forums! Second, I wouldn’t be creeped out by this person. It is highly unlikely that he/she is possessed. As another person said, possessed people usually don’t hang around churches. That said, pray for this person if you feel the need too.

 

[abidinginhim]

Thanks for your replies. I don’t want to repeat the stuff the guy said but when he starts talking, it sounds like a bunch of nonsense at first, but then he gets weird with references to communicating with people from far away and getting inside someone’s body. I just don’t want any demons or anything to jump out of him (for lack of a better phrase) and latch onto me. That’s my concern. I would’ve just assumed the guy had mental problems until he said some of the things that he said.

 

[beckycmarie]

Thanks for your replies. I don’t want to repeat the stuff the guy said but when he starts talking, it sounds like a bunch of nonsense at first, but then he gets weird with references to communicating with people from far away and getting inside someone’s body. I just don’t want any demons or anything to jump out of him (for lack of a better phrase) and latch onto me. That’s my concern. I would’ve just assumed the guy had mental problems until he said some of the things that he said.

If it’s any consolation, I work closely with people who are demonized, and in 18 months of doing so, the worst that has happened was a wall hanging “fell” off the wall under suspicious circumstances, landed on a wine rack and smashed a bottle of merlot on the new carpet. (btw, a wet/dry vac and OxyClean got all of it out and left no trace of the wine). I spent 20 hours over one weekend working in person with a severely demonized person, and didn’t take any “hitchhikers” home. I don’t think you have anything to worry about with being in this person’s presence.

Does the guy do this nonsense/strange talk all the time? If so I would suspect a mental issue. If he only does it when prayers are being said, then that sounds more like a demonization.

What kind of church group is this? Is it a prayer group? If so, have you guys tried praying for this man and referring him to the priest for help?