What happens to someone who is demon-possessed when they die?

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Hi. I’m wondering what Catholicism teaches about the soul of someone who is demon-possessed when they die. Is the soul freed, or is it lost?
 
Demonic possession doesn’t affect whether the soul is in a state of sanctifying grace or not. If they are in a state of sanctifying grace then they go to Heaven. A possessed person can also receive Communion as long as they aren’t conscious of mortal sin.

People who practice a very high degree of virtue can suffer demonic oppression at times. Being wrapped up in the demonic isn’t necessarily because the person asked for it. Sometimes they are simply a victim. I can refer you to a book penned by a head exorcist in Rome if you are interested.
 
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As a person in a state of grace cannot be possessed, we would have to entrust that person to the mercy of God as we would anyone who died outside of friendship with God.
 
Demons cannot possess a soul, only a body. When the body dies the possession is over.
 
If Fr. Amorth says what he’s represented to have said who am I to argue? That said, I’d have some doubts. Why? Because there’s a difference between oppression and possession.
My understanding of possession (coming from Fr. Malachi Martin’s “Hostage to the Devil”) is that possession can only result when someone essentially “invites the devil inside them,” (my words, not his) via the occult, etc. I would question whether via such an act the person would in fact be cutting themselves off from God in a way far worse than some sins that get condemned around here all the time. Interested to get a solid theological response to this, rather than just opinion. Maybe I’m wrong.
 
…and just to finish, although the possessed person may have lessened culpability (if any) for actions taken while possessed, the initial actions leading to possession would essentially reflect some rejection of God.
 
I read a while back that Saint Teresa underwent at least one exorcism in her life. If she can be possessed, then it probably doesn’t require an open invitation.
 
People here are acting as if a possessed person runs off to confession all the time. Sorry, that is 100% at odds with every bit of credible authority I’ve ever seen about possession, which instead posits that a truly possessed person will violently flee from, lash out at, or otherwise reject all sacraments. Many of them won’t enter a church at all, let alone hurry into the confessional. A person who is truly Possessed doesn’t want to receive the sacraments. Once again, people are conflating possession with oppression.
 
My source was Malachi Martin’s book.
IIRC, a person’s refusal to partake in sacraments, and their reaction to the trapping of same, was and remains one of the pieces of evidence looked to in determining whether a person is truly possessed, I.e., do they react violently in the presence of the Eucharist even if they can’t otherwise see it? Will they attend Mass or instead violently react to efforts to bring them to Mass?

I have a very hard time accepting that a possessed person has any desire to receive the sacraments. I would qualify that in instances where a person is actively trying to “throw off” possession, I.e., as a multi-day exorcism is ongoing and the possessed
Person can and is actively cooperating with the exorcist.

Lastly I would be skeptical about outdated claims of people who might have been possessed or, for example, those of saints who underwent exorcisms - if they’re saints they’re essentially the opposite of people who are possessed.

Heck, THIS BOARD has seen people start threads like “I think I’m possessed!!” (They’re not).

This is not a well-understood subject and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. That’s why I asked for some solid theological responses, as opposed to what people opine baselessly or what they heard about fifth-hand, which is usually what this board contains.
 
VonDerTann said:
My source was Malachi Martin’s book.
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As you know, this is not in any way an authoritative statement. Mr Martin (he was a priest for 11 years, then he was laicized in 64. There are conspiracy theorists who have spun yarns about this.

He, himself, refered to his works as “faction” (mix of fact and fiction)


Rolicking scary stories? Yes. Foundation for beliefs about Church teachings, no.

EDIT TO ADD:

Agree, thanks to popular media, people give far more credit to possession than is due. If we remain in friendship with God, we will be tempted, however we do not have to fear that Satan can pounce on us and possess us unless we reject God and turn from Him.

Talking to your Diocese exorcist would be good, however, in all Dioceses I know, their identity is kept in confidence to protect them from a jillion people calling. This is why I am skeptical of internet famous or book writing exorcists, because the men I have known who fill this office do not advertise nor do they reveal the details of their “cases”.
 
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Littlelady, you and I are on the same side of this. I was responding to hopeful’s request that I identify where I was getting my information. I too would like to know the sources you asked for.
 
As to Fr. Martin, as I understand it he fictionalized his book by changing names and irrelevant facts such that the people involved couldn’t be found, but I understand the theological facts in Hostage to the Devil were accurate.
 
I haven’t read much of the other posts. I just came in to say that I vaguely recall Fr. Chad Ripperger saying in one of the videos I watched that demons possess someone’s body. They don’t touch the soul.
 
Hopeful, it’s great to say my sources are bad, but what are yours?
 
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