It was clear from the man's testimony that all hell was breaking loose in his life and he needed help.
However, since this man was a scientist, the Rev. Gary Thomas wasn't surprised that he was a skeptic when it came to supernatural evil.
That was fine, since one of the first things the priest learned in Rome while training to be an exorcist was to remain as skeptical as possible, as long as possible. Still, there were troubling facts in the man's story -- such as an episode when a counselor urged him to channel spirits.
Finally, the priest turned to "De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam" ("Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications"), the Vatican document released in 1998 that contains a modernized exorcism rite. He has been fighting this man's demons ever since.
"When we started, he told me, 'Wait! Can't you just take this thing right out of me?' But that's rarely how things work," said Thomas, the official exorcist in the Diocese of San Jose in Northern California.
"It's hard to get people to understand that no two exorcisms are the same. Reality isn't like the movies."
The subject of demonic possession remains controversial, as illustrated by the media storm that greeted the revised exorcism rite, which was required by a Vatican II mandate three decades earlier.
Later, the Vatican announced that Pope John Paul II had personally performed three exorcisms during his pontificate.
While the new rite warned exorcists not to confuse diabolic possession with mental illness, it also affirmed ancient teachings about the reality of spiritual warfare, as illustrated by biblical accounts of Jesus performing exorcisms.
Truth is, Thomas said, the events of Holy Week -- especially Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter -- make no sense without real demons, real temptations and a real hell. But many Catholics disagree.
"There are plenty of bishops and priests who simply do not believe in Satan and demons and they have told me so," he said. "That makes a difference. What most people do not realize is that bishops are like independent contractors and they can do whatever they damn well want to do. ... That's why we don't have many exorcists in America."
At the request of his own bishop, Thomas took a Vatican-approved course on demonic possession while living at the North American College in Rome in late 2005 and early 2006. As part of his studies, the second-career priest -- who worked in a mortuary before seeking ordination -- participated in more than 80 exorcisms with a senior Italian exorcist. These experiences form the heart of "The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist," a new book written by American journalist Matt Baglio.
For the past three years, the 55-year-old priest has quietly been using the techniques he learned in Rome. He said that his teachers, from the beginning, emphasized that an exorcist must strive to remain the "ultimate skeptic," pursuing every pastoral option before turning to the exorcism rite as a last resort.
Modern exorcists are urged to work with psychiatrists, psychologists and physicians while evaluating those who are suffering. They also test to see if spiritual health can be restored through confession, healing rites and frequent participation in Mass. However, Thomas noted that these contacts with "holy things" occasionally trigger open displays of demonic powers.
It's one thing to hear the voice of a demon on a recording or to read pages of blasphemies in transcripts. Face-to-face encounters are another matter.
The classic signs of possession have been established for ages. The possessed may exhibit superhuman strength, describe private events in the life of an exorcist or possess the ability to speak languages -- such as Latin -- they have never studied. They often suffer bizarre physical reactions to contact with holy water, crosses or icons.
Most people seeking exorcisms are simply physically sick, mentally ill or emotionally distressed. Some may try to fake "Hollywood-esque symptoms" to draw sympathy or attention.
"You may see case after case in which there are other explanations for what these people are suffering," Thomas said. "But then, every now and then, you see things that let you know that you are dealing with the real thing. That's when you know that sin is real, hell is real and Satan is real. That's when you learn what the cross and the resurrection are all about."
(Terry Mattingly directs the Washington Journalism Center at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Contact him at tmattingly(at)cccu.org or www.tmatt.net.)
ON RELIGION
Satan Exists !!!
"He who does not believe in the Devil Does not believe in the Gospel" This is the reply Pope JohnPaul11 gave some priests who told him their was a priest who said the Devil did not exist. Believe me if there was no Satan - No Abortion would exist !!!! Spend a few moments and read this - http://catholicexchange.com/2009/04/11/117582/print/
http://www.ewtn.com/library/NEWAGE/EVIDSATN.HTM
As a Traditional Catholic from India I have seen first hand the evil acts of the nether world. Mr.Critical thinker read the second link in its entireity.
to the person who said if
to the person who said if there were no satan abortion would not exist.baloney.If Jesus was real there would be no abortion.If God was real there would not be suffering.As to the pope saying He who does not believe in the devil does not believe in the gospel.....Well,he was right about that because I think the gospel is nonsense.And to the person who said when I die I will find out if the devil is real.....yes,I sure will.And if I do discover he is real,what would then be my sin,before God who as you say loves me?God would tell me I am going to be punished for not believing in the devil?That makes no sense to me and since it doesnt I say this stuff about exorcisms is hogwash.People undergoing these experiences called exorcism are actually reacting to their own feelings about the priests giving the exorcism/
It's a Good Thing
We have come to understand more wonders in this century than ever before, so why is it so hard for us to believe that something greater, stronger, more intelligent than us exists?
I've always found it rather amusing when someone announces that they don't believe in God, as if that single statement will negate His Existence. If you can't believe in something you cannot see or touch, does this mean you do not believe in love? You can't touch it, you can't hold it in your hand. You can experience it through actions and you can see the results of it, in the presence of a newborn child, you can act in its name, but put it in your hand and hold it?
I have never met you, seen you, talked to you. You have had no effect on my life. So if I say I don't believe in you, does that mean you are not real?
God exists. Evil exists. Angels, both true and fallen, exist. Your belief or disbelief in this fact does not change the reality of their existence.
Exorcisms and the Belief in Satan and the Devils
I have read all of the comments both atheistic and religious-based. For those who do NOT believe in Jesus or Satan or the devils......it doesn't make one iota of a difference on What nor Why you disbelieve in the Divinity of Jesus or the existence of Satan/demons. The arguments of atheists/agnostics are with very little substance be it the scientific arena or the metaphysical arena. The best arguments in the belief of God still comes down to St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica and not to mention the book You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence But You Can't Make Him Think by Ray Comfort. It all boils down to one thing.....I, I, and I. I want to do WHAT I want, When I want and Where and I don't want to be placed under ANY moral constraints called the Ten Commandments or anything that God the Father and Jesus considers WHAT God expects as obedience from his creation, mankind!
The atheistic philosophy has more to do with personal pride......I WILL NOT SERVE rather than from a rationalistic or critical thinking perspective! Jesus spoke a great deal about the existence of Satan so IF you Do NOT believe in the existence of Satan/demons, then, quite likely, you will not accept nor believe in Jesus as the Son of God! For those who REALLY want to find out about the existence of Satan/demons why don't you satisfy your curiousity by asking Jesus to Show YOU the existence of the devil! Rest assured, people who laugh about this don't have the
ba...to really find out because I believe they already know innately that demons Do exist! When I think of atheism I remember many of the Bible's quotes and one in particular.....Only a fool says in his heart There is NO GOD!
DEMONS-with Joe Sims
There is such thing as demons. Joe W. Sims is a demon. Joe Sims wants HELL, he wants to be in HELL he wants to hear people going through HELL, he wants satan around him. He hates good christian people. If he wants HELL so bad why don't people give it to him. Give Joe Sims the HELL he wants so he will stop abusing and killing Christians.
Please do not email me back or post my email address.
I believe in God the Father, Jesus the son and The Holy Spirit
I can not see electricity but I would never put my wet hand into a electrical outlet, but I see the results of electricity every day. I do not see God but I have felt the power of Him in my 76 years of life, and seen His works every day. I have had so many prayers answered in my lifetime I could not live without Him in my life. In tough spots I call on the Holy Spirit and surprisingly I get fast results, and I do not believe God to be a Santa Claus, but He has been good to me. I see evil in the world every day and pray for the conversion of sinners. It is better to believe and find out we are right than not believe and find out we were wrong. God bless and have mercy on us because we are all sinners.
Well,even if there is a Hell
Well,even if there is a Hell And a God and a Heaven,I am not the one who invented Hell.God is.I am not the one who created this chaotic world.God chose to invent it,not me.Further,the Bible is full of stories of an angry,avenging God,for example,take the giant flood He poured upon mankind.Look at the conditions of our world.Earthquakes,storms...I refuse to bow down to a Being who does all this.I would not want to go to a heaven to be with the creator of this terrible mishap.But,on the other hand ,until science can prove such a Being is real,I am not much of a believer.And by your replies and harsh remarks,I can see you are not very kind people.I can see how unforgiving and cold you are.I see the hypocrisy,and to tell you the truth I would not want anyone who talks about hellfire and devils to be my friends.None of my friends are christians.And it is going to stay that way now that I have read your replies.
our mental institutions
Do you realise how many people seeing psychiatrists believe in Hell?Do you know how many people in mental hospitals think the Devil is real?Do you know how many heads are filled up with goulish scenes of fires and demons gone mad?How many more children have to wake up screaming from night terrors all because the nuns in school told them it is real?How many more human beings have to suffer nervous breakdowns on account of priests telling them they are going to hell forever just because they missed mass on Sunday?How much more damage do people like you want to inflict on human minds before out institutions are so overcrowded with people scared out of their MINDS ?Havent you HURT enough people?Dont you know when to stop?
Sister Faustina was no mystic
She was Hallucinating.Mejugorje apparitions are hallucinations too,If they were not everyone else could see them.Fatima is yet another strange story of what gets mixed up in childrens heads.Now,I suppose people like me.who dont believe in such fairy tells are hated by God.And you know,none of these bizarre stories about hell is true.The stigmata on padre pios hands were fake,too.he just did that to get noteriety.
The Spiritual World & Critical Thinking
If you want to understand the spiritual world, I'd like to recommend one of the greatest thought leaders of our age: Elijah.
http://undergroundbible.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/gods-counterweapon-part-1/
God’s plan to counteract satan
Humanity was exposed to the wiles of satan.
His only weapon is mentally influencing the human brain, which includes: lies, torment, perverting the true meanings of Biblical concepts, keeping God’s people from contacting other people, keeping people from reading the Bible, keeping people from assembling with believing people by providing alternate activities, offering people a quest for money, offering people a quest for power, offering people sex opportunities, suggesting people overly use food, alcohol, and drugs, suggesting stealing, suggesting murder, and suggesting suicide.
There are physical weapons that satan uses in this war. They include: all the various governments, all the various businesses, all the various religions, all the various Christian churches, all the various preachers, priests, and especially the use of the Bible.
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