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Pentecostal exorcist Bob Larson blessed by Rome's Chief Exorcist
BobLarson.org ^ | December 28, 2005 | Bob Larson

Posted on 02/14/2006 8:05:00 AM PST by NYer

December, 28, 2005

Dear Friend,

            A warm handshake, the touching of each cheek in turn (in true Italian style), and the words, “We are doing the same mission for our Lord Jesus Christ.”

            That moment bridged a gap of centuries. Five hundred years ago I would not have been standing in the Vatican and a priest might have called for my death as a heretic. But this day in December, 2005, was a day of reconciliation and embracing on common ground–the belief in waging spiritual war through exorcism, deliverance, and healing.

St. Peter's Basilica.
The largest church in the world.

            If you haven’t been tracing my steps for the past couple of weeks, let me bring you up to date. The priest who embraced me was Father Gabriele Amorth, the foremost exorcist in the Catholic church. I had been asked to come to the Vatican in Rome to meet Father Amorth, who has appeared with me in several documentaries, including the recent special on A&E.

           If you haven’t been tracing my steps for the past couple of weeks, let me bring you up to date. The priest who embraced me was Father Gabriele Amorth, the foremost exorcist in the Catholic church. I had been asked to come to the Vatican in Rome to meet Father Amorth, who has appeared with me in several documentaries, including the recent special on A&E. We were also permitted to bring video cameras to record this historic meeting for inclusion in a documentary we’re producing. (We were accompanied by an interpreter–Father Amorth speaks only Italian–a cameraman, as well as our documentary producer and a director.)

            Father Amorth is well-respected all over the world as the primary Catholic priest to consult when questions about exorcism arise. He is the honorary president of the International Association of Exorcists and heads up a Vatican training school for potential exorcists. He is a fearless man of God who has bravely taken on the forces of darkness. This meeting opened the door to building bridges with the one billion-strong Catholic community. I believe in the Last Days before the return of Jesus Christ that all those who believe in spiritual warfare need to join together as a worldwide spiritual army, regardless of our theological differences. That’s why this breakthrough was such an answer to prayer.

            I have always expressed my appreciation for the way the Catholic Church has maintained the tradition of exorcism. Even the late Pope John Paul II performed at least three known exorcisms, one in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. While many Protestants have shied away from embracing deliverance through exorcism, Catholics have kept the practice alive.

             The way that Catholics do exorcism has some differences as to style, but the basic fundamentals are the same. In fact, I have encouraged our Do What Jesus Did (DWJD) healing and deliverance teams to read the Rituale Romanum, the ancient Catholic rite of exorcism. It is filled with majestic, biblical language that boldly confronts Satan and his demons. Of course, as a Protestant and evangelical Christian, I have some theological differences with Catholics. But I’ve always made it a practice to embrace all Christians who share a common faith in Christ and a desire to defeat the works of the devil.

             Our meeting with Father Amorth took place in a massive Church building that was part of an elaborate facility including beautiful grounds and landscaping. For nearly an hour Father Amorth answered our questions about deliverance and exorcism. He pulled no punches and was totally forthright, declaring that every Christian can and should battle the devil and cast out demons. He lamented that many in his own Church avoid the issue. On a brighter note, I asked him about the new Pope, Benedict XVI. Father Amorth pointed out that when Benedict XVI was a cardinal he was part of the committee that updated the current Catholic exorcism ritual. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Every Pope has approved of exorcism and encouraged it.” (I only wish that could be said of every evangelical church leader in America!)

             After more than an hour of intense discussion, Father Amorth motioned for me to follow him. In his 80s, he walks with a slow but deliberate gait. He led me from the beautiful chapel where we first met, down several long hallways. A few minutes later he opened the door to a simply furnished room. “This is my exorcism room,” he said.

             I felt like I was standing on holy ground. To my knowledge no one from the outside world has ever been allowed there with TV cameras. As a gracious host he pointed out everything in the room that was so special to him. On the walls were pictures of the Archangel Michael and photos of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. He pointed to a chair. “That’s where I do most of the exorcisms,” he said. Then he turned to a bed on the opposite side of the room. “That’s where we restrain those who are violent.” He reached in a box and showed us the straps he uses to tie down people when he can’t control the demons. He lovingly cradled in his hands the crucifix and stole that are such an important part of his tradition.

             As he concluded, the Lord impressed me to ask something the Holy Spirit prompted at that moment: “Would you bless me and my wife and share your anointing with us?” Without hesitation he rubbed his finger in anointing salve and made the sign of the cross on my forehead. Then he made the sign of the cross on my chest and put one hand on my head and the other over my heart. The room was filled with a sacred silence as his deep, tender voice invoked the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit over me and my wife, Laura.

Rev. Bob Larson receives anointing from Father Gabriele Amorth

            I felt the presence of God as Father Amorth imparted a portion of the calling on his life. Centuries of religious conflict and misunderstanding melted away in a moment. Something powerful took place in heavenly realms. Old walls came down as two proponents of spiritual warfare from the Catholic and Protestant traditions met on the common ground of the cross.

             When he finished his moving prayer of blessing, Father Amorth grinned and turned to the TV cameras. “They are demon-free,” he said. “No demons around them, only angels.”

             We laughed together at his pronouncement, knowing that his delightful humor was also meant to be a serious note of conclusion to our meeting. So much more happened than I have room to write about here. That’s why we’ve produced an unedited, director’s cut of the entire encounter, entitled The Miracle at the Vatican, that you can show to family and friends. In a moment I’ll share how you can have a Limited Edition copy of this historic video footage.

             I was touched by the faithfulness of Father Amorth. He doesn’t have a dedicated group of spiritual warriors to help bear the burden, like I do. (We now have more than 100 Do What Jesus Did, DWJD, teams around the world.). He must strap people down because only a few nuns and elderly lay people assist him. But Father Amorth has something very important that we don’t have. He has the backing of the richest religious institution in the world to provide all his facilities and all his needs. In contrast, there isn’t a single church in America or Canada that provides support for what we’re doing to set the captives free. We depend solely on faithful friends like you to sacrificially make it possible to reach the lost and hurting.

             We desperately need a place like Father Amorth has for worship, prayer, and ministry around the clock. For the last year our Spiritual Freedom Church and Center in Phoenix, Arizona has been meeting in a small office facility that is wholly inadequate to minister to the needs of those who come for healing and deliverance.

             Several months ago God led us to a new location for a $1.2 million prayer and worship center and miraculously provided the initial funding. Drywall is going up, electricians and plumbers are vigorously at work, and architects are finishing the design. This will be the most unique religious facility this side of the Vatican.

             When Father Amorth has financial needs, he turns to the Church. Everyone from the Pope on down is committed to the success of his spiritual calling. Our ministry turns to you to help finish this historic Center of healing and hope. Our most urgent need is to immediately raise  $120,000 between now and our opening in February. It would please the Lord to have us minister free from financial burdens, just as Father Amorth does. Will you help us do that?

             Once our Church and Center are open, we can also establish a deliverance training school like Father Amorth has done. We’ll be able to have a regular schedule of healing retreats, teaching seminars, and around-the-clock prayers for deliverance. Because of our extensive secular publicity and this new connection with the Catholic Church, those who hunger to restore this much-neglected ministry will turn to us for direction and leadership. You can have great spiritual satisfaction by being a Freedom Founder, one of 1,000 to share a gift of $120 to complete the first stage of our Spiritual Freedom Church and Center.

             Before I close this letter. Let me share one more instance that took place during our Vatican meeting with Father Amorth. As this humble priest led us into his exorcism room, we encountered a young woman who was already in the room, awaiting her turn for an exorcism. When she saw us and the television cameras, she covered her face in shame and bolted from the room. Through our Italian interpreter she pleaded with us not to identify her to anyone. Over and over she begged us, “Please don’t tell anyone I was here.” It took some time to convince her we wouldn’t show her image in any footage that we shot.

             I understand why this woman wanted her exorcism to be secret. Unfortunately, both the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church have stigmatized exorcism. Church leaders have made seeking deliverance a hush-hush affair to be hidden, much like we used to do with mental illness and physical disabilities. Thank God, those in wheelchairs are no longer second class citizens. Those with mental illness are out of the closet and getting the professional help they deserve.

             Exorcism, deliverance and inner healing must also be brought into the open so that people like that woman in Father Amorth’s exorcism room don’t have to cringe in fear. The hurting and brokenhearted who are bound by Satan must be able to find a safe place for ministry.  Our Spiritual Freedom Church and Center for Freedom will be that place!

             Don’t put off being a partner with me. Get your check or credit card right now and call 1-866-910-FREE (3733) to let us know your gift is on the way. Join 999 other people by sharing a gift of $120 so the doors to our Spiritual Freedom Church & Center can open next month.

             I’m praying that the moment you write that check or call in that credit card that the anointing I received from Father Amorth will flow from me to you. Let The Miracle at the Vatican be the beginning of a miracle in your own life

       Doing What Jesus Did,

       Bob Larson

P. S. My personal meeting and interview with Father Amorth, along with the visit to his exorcism room, was all captured on video. This is remarkable, unprecedented footage and a small portion will appear in the worldwide exorcism documentary we’re producing. I want you to have the entire, unedited footage in an exclusive “director’s cut” called The Miracle at the Vatican. For your gift of $120 or more, I’ll rush this footage to you as soon as it’s available. If you have Catholic friends or family, don’t miss the chance to let them see this historic encounter. I’m praying that, as you watch it, Father Amorth’s anointing will come upon your life.

             P. P. S. Even though we urgently need gifts of $120 or more, any gift of any size will be deeply appreciated. Share what you can to help establish this historic Church & Center of deliverance and freedom for those tormented by the devil.           



TOPICS: Activism; Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Ministry/Outreach; Moral Issues; Prayer; Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: amorth; catholic; creditcard; devil; evangelical; exorcism; larson; pentecostal; satan; wwjd
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To: Alex Murphy
Bob Larson? Bob Larson????

Yes. Bob Larson

41 posted on 02/14/2006 4:29:07 PM PST by murdoog
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To: pissant

I've seen this guy on TV. He strikes me as phonier than a 3 dollar bill. I'm suprised the Catholic Church would have anything to do with him.


I used to hear him on the radio.

Trust me, I am not a member of the "mass media evangelical cult"

I used to tune him in because he was so "off the chart" it was funny!

This guy used to tell tell his staged "callers" to destroy their evil "rock and roll" tapes and records live on the air.

What a scam!


42 posted on 02/14/2006 4:35:13 PM PST by WhiteGuy (Vote out all incumbents and pass term limits now.)
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To: topcat54

Well if john calvin said it must be true. Also on a side note how do manage to type while snake handling?


43 posted on 02/14/2006 4:59:38 PM PST by escapefromboston (manny ortez: mvp)
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To: escapefromboston; topcat54
Also on a side note how do manage to type while snake handling? Maybe we don't handle them
44 posted on 02/14/2006 6:09:40 PM PST by Diego1618
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To: topcat54

Interesting to note that you, like so many anti-Catholic cowards, are hiding your own faith alignment.

Hmmm...

Ashamed of it?

Gutless. Afraid that the shaky foundations of whatever cultish group to which you belong can be damaged by the truth of Catholicism?


45 posted on 02/14/2006 6:09:41 PM PST by AlaninSA (It's one nation under God -- brought to you by the Knights of Columbus)
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To: NYer

Bob definitely works the fund raising angle in a way that I wouldn't, were I in his position.

However, I have a couple of his books. Very high quality, especially 'Larson's Book of Cults'. We used it as a text book in Bible College.


46 posted on 02/14/2006 6:12:54 PM PST by ovrtaxt (Join the FR folding team!! http://vspx27.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main.py?qtype=teampage&teamnum=36120)
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To: topcat54

Your Anti-Catholic Bigotry is showing.


47 posted on 02/14/2006 6:18:36 PM PST by TexConfederate1861
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To: Nihil Obstat
Have you noticed that the ex-catholics tend to have a lot of hatred and bile for the Catholic church, but the converts to the Catholic church generally have nice things to say about their former churches? Wonder why that is.

I have noticed that, too. I think they must vilify the Catholic Church to justify their leaving it. The worse they make it out to be, the better they feel about their "decision". The vast majority of them who left don't even know what they left.

Regards

48 posted on 02/15/2006 4:13:30 AM PST by jo kus
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To: NYer

If Catholic Tradition is so great for him, he can always swim the Tiber.

I suspect this is more self serving, though.


49 posted on 02/15/2006 4:44:49 AM PST by Desdemona (Music Librarian and provider of cucumber sandwiches, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary. Hats required.)
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To: topcat54

You can quote Calvin until you are blue in the face. His words mean nothing to me as he had no Divind Inspiration when he uttered his inanities. I'll stick with the Church founded by Christ Jesus, thank you. I will pray for you as well that you see the Light of Truth.


50 posted on 02/15/2006 6:27:47 AM PST by Romish_Papist (iuxta est Dominus contritis corde et confractos spiritu salvabit.)
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Comment #51 Removed by Moderator

To: PleaseNoMore

So who's more powerful, demons or the HS?


52 posted on 02/15/2006 1:50:45 PM PST by zeeba neighba
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To: zeeba neighba
So who's more powerful, demons or the HS?

The Holy Spirit is more powerful of course. Do not think for one minute demons can't oppress a believer. Do not think for one minute the devil doesn't target us. If he can find one small "opening" into our lives, he will exploit it. Any Christian who doesn't think the devil can "bother" him/her simply because they believe in Christ is living on dangerous grounds.

53 posted on 02/15/2006 7:14:49 PM PST by PleaseNoMore
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To: NYer
Father Amorth pointed out that when Benedict XVI was a cardinal he was part of the committee that updated the current Catholic exorcism ritual.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

:o(

54 posted on 02/16/2006 12:27:03 AM PST by sockmonkey
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To: AlaninSA
Gutless. Afraid that the shaky foundations of whatever cultish group to which you belong can be damaged by the truth of Catholicism?

Catholicism is a religious system devised by men whereby they control the "faithful" through fear. Rome says one is saved by the Church (Rome) through the sacraments.

God says that a person is saved by grace through faith in Christ.

A person who has read the Bible and understood its message of salvation, and has acted on that message by repenting of his sins and accepting Christ as his savior, is thereby saved, and has become spiritually aligned with Truth. Regardless of what church that person attends - or even if he attends no church at all - he is saved and will forever remain so.

On the other hand, the vast majority of those who choose to align themselves with Roman Catholicism are lost. That is because it is a false religion, a spiritual counterfeit.

55 posted on 10/10/2006 8:47:40 AM PDT by music_code (Atheists can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman.)
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To: music_code
A person who has read the Bible and understood its message of salvation, and has acted on that message by repenting of his sins and accepting Christ as his savior, is thereby saved, and has become spiritually aligned with Truth.

The Bible says otherwise (Acts 2:38).

Regardless of what church that person attends - or even if he attends no church at all - he is saved and will forever remain so.

The Bible says otherwise (Hebrews 10:25-31).

56 posted on 10/10/2006 9:33:28 AM PDT by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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To: Campion
Previously I wrote:

A person who has read the Bible and understood its message of salvation, and has acted on that message by repenting of his sins and accepting Christ as his savior, is thereby saved, and has become spiritually aligned with Truth.

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

I don't see anything in that verse which contradicts my statement, unless you are getting hung up on the mention of baptism in Peter's statement. Peter was not giving out a ritualistic formula for would-be converts to follow. Baptism is not necessary for salvation. Rather, it is the outward testimony of the inner spiritual transformation that has already occurred. In other words, baptism does not precede salvation; salvation precedes baptism.

Regarding Hebrews 10:25-31:

(vs 25) -- this is the only verse that actually has a bearing on my original statement -- "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Yes, of course Christians should associate with other Christians in a local place of worship, where God's Word is honored and where it is practiced and lived out in a practical way, serving each other, the community, etc. My point is that said attendance at a local church is not a prerequisite or a requirement for salvation. A person's salvation does not depend on his attendance at a local church. And of course, declining to attend anywhere at a local church does not cause one to "lose" one's salvation -- for salvation cannot be lost or undone by human failings. Neither can it be kept or retained by human efforts.

The remaining verses have application to unbelievers who have kept company with believers, appearing outwardly at least, to be one of them, partaking of some of the blessings and benefits of communal worship, when in truth they have never received Christ as savior. For the unsaved person who has heard and understood the message of salvation but has ultimately rejected it, he is being put on notice, being told in no uncertain terms, that the only thing he has to look forward to as a consequence of his denial of Christ is the fearful expectation of judgement, and that this judgement will be worse for him than that received by those people who rejected Moses' message in the times of the OT. Moreover, this judgement will come directly from the hands of the living God, and it will be terrifying. There is no enduring, much less escaping, the dreadful presence of the avenging God in the raging fires of hell.

57 posted on 10/10/2006 11:10:35 AM PDT by music_code (Atheists can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman.)
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To: music_code

Your comments show so much ignorance. There's such little value in responding to one so out of touch with reality.

Perhaps you find the Big 'Ol SnakeHandler Church of the Almighty Dollar Donation ("Pastor's" name in 12' letters on the sign) is a better interpretation of Christianity?


58 posted on 10/11/2006 4:37:55 PM PDT by AlaninSA ("Beware the fury of a patient man." - John Dryden)
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To: AlaninSA

I am not sure what you're trying to address in your remarks. My guess is, like many devout Catholics, you can't even begin to consider the possibility that Catholicism might not be authentic Christianity.


59 posted on 10/12/2006 5:41:46 AM PDT by music_code (Atheists can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman.)
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To: music_code

Let me throw out a challenge for you:

Share with us the name of the denomination to which you belong.

Most anti-Catholics have difficulty sharing that information...or they simply claim to be a member of a "Bible" church (AKA a building full of fools who support the pastor's lavish lifestyle).

Can you share your denomination or, if that's taboo for you, can you share the name of your church and its website?


60 posted on 10/13/2006 5:42:35 PM PDT by AlaninSA ("Beware the fury of a patient man." - John Dryden)
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