Posted on 05/28/2013 6:31:16 PM PDT by haffast
The Catholic Church's top exorcist, who claims to have sent 160,000 demons back to hell, says he wants Pope Francis to allow all priests to start performing the ritual to deal with a rising demand for exorcisms from the faithful.
Father Gabriele Amorth, 88, who also heads the International Association of Exorcists, told The Sunday Times that he will ask Pope Francis to allow all priests the right to do exorcisms without the church's approval. According to the report, priests currently need special approval from their bishop to perform the rite and it is rarely granted.
"I will ask the pope to give all priests the power to carry out exorcisms, and to ensure priests are properly trained for these starting with the seminary. There's a huge demand for them," said Father Amorth.
He explained that he was inspired to make the request after watching Pope Francis perform what he insists was an exorcism on a man "possessed by four demons" in St. Peter's Square.
"The pope is also the Bishop of Rome, and like any bishop he is also an exorcist," Amorth reportedly told La Repubblica newspaper. "It was a real exorcism. If the Vatican has denied this, it shows that they understand nothing."
"There was now, more than ever, a need for exorcists to combat people possessed by 'sorcerers' and 'Satanists,'" he noted in that report.
snip
(Excerpt) Read more at global.christianpost.com ...
Looks to me like he missed ONE... Obozo.
Thinking along the same lines. They merely relocated to the United States and became Democrat voters.
Yep, Obama is still here ... missed one.
The Wilt Chamberlain of exorcism?
Obama, Pelosi, Sibelius, etc., etc., ad infinitum. I wonder if the Top Exorcist can take on a bulk order?
According to Psalm 91:13 all who dwell in the shelter of the Most High can cast out demons:
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
That would mean that about 51% of the country would disappear ... Hmmm, not a bad idea.
That is true, even non-Catholics can cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. However, when a formal exorcism is requested, it must be approved by the local bishop. The Ritual may only be carried out by a priest.
That said, all people can pray for the release of those possessed, oppressed, or being obsessed by demon/s.
I think exorcism can be dangerous, unless the priest really knows what he’s doing.
That said, it probably would be a good idea if more exorcisms were available where they are needed. It seems to be another failure on the part of the bishops. I think some of them are afraid of being thought superstitious. Well, there’s nothing superstitious about Satan and other devils as biblical figures. And casting out demons has always been done from the earliest Christian times, with Christ and the Apostles setting the first examples.
C. S. Lewis had it right in The Screwtape Letters. One of Satan’s biggest victories was to persuade modernists that he didn’t exist, and that sin was an outdated concept.
bookmark
They are not destroyed by exorcism, but sent back to where they came from: Waterless places (no baptism). Unless Christ occupies the space, demons are free to rule for a time, but only in the interest of serving salvific history; only within constraints. Seven demons more may enter in where one is expelled and Christ does not dwell.
may we be permitted to suggest a few excellent candidates for the good Father’s expert services?
Like, in WashDC?
He missed two..Princess Nanci and Joe Biteme.
I have read his books. Very good.
I believe what he says.
Amen. The demons were not removed from the earth, only temporarily relocated.
Holy Baptism is an exorcism of the highest order, enjoined upon all who believe the Gospel of Christ who atoned for the sin of the world once for all. By this sacrament the merits of Christ are concretely applied to poor sinners. Demons *hate* that stuff. They also mock its efficacy, though the Word of God is true.
The most incredible exorcism story I have ever read was Blumhardts Battle; about a Lutheran Minister who took on hundreds of demons about 150 years ago in Germany. Makes The Exorcist story look like a walk in the park.
http://o4u2cm.blogspot.com/2005/05/blumhardts-battle.html
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.