Cardinal Egan Shuts Down Exorcism Ministry in NY Archdiocese ?!?!?

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[Polycarp]

Cardinal Egan Shuts Down Exorcism Ministry in NY Archdiocese

This just in from Mark Shea's web log:

Goodbye to NY Exorcists

I'm told by sources that Cdl. Egan is shutting down the ministry of exorcism in New York. Dunno why. It does sort of seem to me like getting rid of all the fire extinguishers in a burning building in order to cut costs. I suspect bureaucrats with little pastoral experience (like Egan) just don't really believe in the reality of spiritual warfare and view the office as rather lurid and dramatic (and a waste of money). I hope his successor wises up and reinstitutes the office. It's not for nothing that Cardinal O'Connor appointed these guys. The devil is real, as this past year should have made clear to Cdl. Egan.

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[Polycarp]

This report is supposedly confirmed by people from New York City who have posted comments on other web logs regarding this story...anyone know anything more about it?

[Polycarp]

Any further corroboration?

[Angelus Errare]

If true, I'm seriously disappointed.

Shea is right-on with his comments about the reality of spiritual warfare.

[ArrogantBustard]

If this is true, it's stupid.

I once knew a priest who preached, at Sunday Mass, against the existence of angels. Has his eminence succumbed to the same error?

[Scupoli]

Maybe it's not being shut down for "financial" reasons. How much can an exorcism cost in the physical realm? Really, the dangers and price to be paid exist in the spiritual.

Egan was just appointed. Barring a major scandal he won't have a successor for a long time.

[Barnacle]

This is a bad move.

I know a guy who is one of the foremost professional hypnotists in the country. For years he used his skills to help people with addictions and other psychological problems. He dropped private practice and went into teaching. Do you want to guess why?

Because during too many private sessions, demons would reveal themselves.

You don’t have to believe what I’m telling you. But, I believe what he's told me.

His office was in his home and he feared for the safety of his family. He’s seen doors slam and rip off their hinges and sparks shoot from wall sockets one too many times for one lifetime.

This stuff is for real and nothing to mess with.

[Domestic Church]

It's another Sign of the Times...they are all around us these days.

[Maximilian]

I highly recommend the book "An Exorcist Tells His Story" by Fr. Gabriel Amorth. I just finished posting links to it over at the Harry Potter thread. This book is not at all sensationalistic. It is very down-to-earth, yet you will be utterly convinced of the reality of demonic spirits and their influence on many people's lives. The book is solidly theological, not a recounting of gruesome incidents.

Here is a web page dedicated to the book:
http://www.catholic-exorcism.org/pages/book-story/story-home.html

Fr. Amorth details the horrendous scandal in the present-day Church, including in Rome itself, in which the reality of evil is denied at the same time that occult influence is skyrocketing. This incident in NY just confirms his observations.

[Maximilian]

Ping to post #8. Please check out Fr. Gabriel Amorth.
http://www.catholic-exorcism.org/pages/book-story/story-home.html

[Desdemona]

Hey, if he doesn't want them, send them this way.

[Salvation]

**...anyone know anything more about it?**

Inquiring minds want to know more!

[Scupoli]

I just checked it out and it looks quite interesting. I was surprised to see my screen namesake listed there as a reference:-)

I would like to add though, it is not just those who embrace dark practices who are attacked by Evil. The more a soul advances spiritually the more likely they will incur the wrath of Satan and demons. They seek to extinguish any light in this world.

[Dajjal]

Cardinal Egan should read Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans by Malachi Martin and
Beware the Night: A New York City Cop Investigates the Supernatural by Ralph Sarchie & Lisa Collier Cool.

[kstewskis]

The devil is real, as this past year should have made clear to Cdl. Egan.

This is bad. Especially in the land of the Hildebeast.

[BlackElk]

At some time on February 3, Father Charles Fiore, a resident of Wisconsin and thoroughly orthodox hero of the Faith suffered a massive and possibly fatal heart attack. He has received Extreme Unction.

Fr. Fiore is/was a close friend and ally of the late Father Kunz, the Tridentine priest murdered in the vicinity of Madison, Wisconsin a few years ago on parish property and whose murder is still unsolved.

Pray for his speedy and full recovery and/or for his hapy death and entry into heaven. I am rather computer challenged or I would post a prayer request. Please do so for me.

[ventana]

Please keep us informed. Father Charles Fiore is a hero and a soldier. V's wife.

[ThomasMore]

There must be some validity if Shea put it on his site.

This does not surprise me. Egan has always given me the impression of being a bureaucrat. We need to pray for our bishops; that they become true Apostles and shepherds. They are not shepherding their people and the sheep have been scattered by the wolves.

[Domestic Church]

Prayer bump for Fr. Fiore!!!!

[Maximilian]

BlackElk has requested that prayers be offered for Fr. Charles Fiore, a heroic priest who has labored far beyond the call of duty. Please see post #15 for more information.

I might also mention that Fr. Fiore was a close associate of Fr. Malachi Martin and worked to preserve his reputation against several slanders that were circulated after he was dead and could no longer defend himself.

[Maximilian]

I would like to add though, it is not just those who embrace dark practices who are attacked by Evil. The more a soul advances spiritually the more likely they will incur the wrath of Satan and demons.

Very true. But these people have weapons and defenses. Some poor naive schmuck whose soul is in a state of habitual mortal sin, who doesn't even know how to pray, and who decides that it would be cool to mess around with occult activities, will soon find himself "sifted like wheat" or "devoured by the roaring lion."