Roman Catholicism and Exorcism Today

[Hermit]

Seems like they still live in the middle ages.

Exorcist Convention: Priests Learn How to Fight the Devil
About 100 Bishops and Priests Meet to Learn About Possession

By DEAN SCHABNER
Nov. 14, 2010

More than 100 Catholic bishops and priests gathered in Baltimore this weekend for a two-day conference on exorcism, organized by a bishop who said he wants U.S. dioceses to be prepared.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., the chairman of the bishops' Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, told ABC News' Dan Harris today that although the need for exorcisms is rare, it does arise.

"The real hope here and the purpose is to provide some training so that really every diocese could have its own resources to handle such inquires," he said.

The purpose of the conference was to educate the clergy members of the scriptural basis for the need for exorcism, and to teach them about how the ritual should be performed.

The many popular movies about exorcism -- from "The Exorcist", released in 1973, to "The Last Exorcism," released last year -- may have created some misconceptions about the ritual.

"Possession is really a very rare thing," he said. "It's not contagious. It's not like people have to worry like somehow I'm going to get possessed by a devil."

He said there are many signs of possession, including a person speaking a language they have never studied, showing signs of great strength or having knowledge that it would seem no person could have.

"The person has some knowledge of hidden things that they're telling you things about yourself or about the future that nobody else could possibly know," he said.

Among other signs, he said, is a person having an aversion to things that are holy.

"So saying prayers over them or sprinkling them with holy water and getting a very violent reaction," Paprocki said.

For thousands of years, religious leaders from various denominations have used exorcism rituals to drive out the devil from those who are possessed.

In the Bible, there are references to Jesus himself casting demons out of people.

"We don't think that's poetic metaphor," Paprocki said in an interview with the Catholic News Service.

Read more here.

[Santa_Claus]

"So saying prayers over them or sprinkling them with holy water and getting a very violent reaction," Paprocki said.

No shit

[Animavore]

I wrote about the book The Rite: The Making of a Modern Day Exorcist on RatSkep.

http://www.rationalskepticism.org:80/post481713.html

which reminds me, i have to get that book back off my friend and finish it.

[Loki]

Among other signs, he said, is a person having an aversion to things that are holy.

I have an aversion to kiddie fiddling. Oh noes, I'm possessed.

[Animavore]

I couldn't copy/pasta from my PS3 earlier but here's a bit about how the ways in which the devil can infect us.

Just a few words on the acts and limitations of The Devil

Based on His Nature.
The devil cannot perform miracles, that would require “supernatural” abilities, only God can.
He can however create the appearance of miracles using “preternatural” powers beyond human.
He can't know secrets of the inner heart, but he can tell what we're thinking be examining us, like a psychologist.
He can't know the future, but he can predict what will happen based on his knowledge of human nature and his powers as a spirit, ie. He can see different events at once. Something beyond our scope giving him advantage.

Based on God's Will.
The devil cannot do anything unless God permits it.
If God does allow him to affect us it is for a greater good. Or to turn evil into good.


The devil is allowed act in to ways, ordinary and extraordinary.

The ordinary are our general temptations toward sin. Not all sins are caused by the Devil. Many are caused by our own freewill.

The supernatural come in four flavours.

Infestation.
This would be your general haunted house scenario. Unexplained noises, staind, objects moving..etc
We're all familiar I'm sure.

Oppression
Also known as “physical attack”. This can take form of scratches, sores, infirmaries or the feeling of a presence pushing one down a stairs or causing an accident.
This type of thing typically happens to saints, including Paul, whose “thron in the side” is often attributed to demons. The object is to make one feel isolated and driven to despair and ultimately turn your back on God.

Obsession.
Known also as “demonic temptation”. This is when a person can't get a thought out of their head. They may feel compelled to hurt people or profane the Eucharist, even suicidal. The point here is to drive on insane.

Possession.
The rarest kind of demonic activity. People in this mode usually have an extreme hate of the church and prayer. A devil can live in someone for years without them knowing. It usually comes about due to cult rituals like ouija boards or Tarot, even rock music.

[Trolldor]

*facepalm*

And Governments give these assholes money?

[Hermit]

*facepalm*

And Governments give these assholes money?

Yes, and tax free status.

And,generally speaking, we vote those governments into office.