Spanish exorcist Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea Cucurull
Posted on 09/21/2010 10:18:48 AM PDT by NYer
.- Spanish exorcist Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea Cucurull stated in an interview last week that though Satan does indeed exist, he does not have “horns, wings or a tail.” The priest recommended that the faithful seek the counsel of a priest if they suspect someone is possessed.
Fr. Fortea is a priest and theologian who specializes in demonology and is now studying for his doctorate of theology in Rome
In an interview with the newspaper El Tiempo during his recent visit to Colombia, Fr. Fortea said, “The devil does not have a body, a color, or a visual form, nor does he have horns, wings or a tail. He is an invisible, bodiless entity.”
“Believing in God means believing in what he has said. And he has spoken of the existence of the devil,” the priest remarked, recalling that “at the end of the 'Our Father' he warned, ‘Deliver us from evil’.”
Fr. Fortea then explained that though he has never seen a demon, he knows they exist, saying he has felt the presence of evil. “I have approached this like a scientist: even though I wear a habit, I am not void of reason.”
“On a certain number of occasions, alone at my house or other places, I have felt an evil presence.” He continued. “I would be lying if I did not acknowledge that I felt that evil presence in an intense and powerful way.”
The priest said that during one of these instances, his cat quickly scurried behind the curtains, staring at a particular spot in the room.
“It is not normal for a cat to hide, tremble and stare at a particular point,” he added.
“Although we tend to speak of the demon, in reality there are many demons, each one is different, but there is one who is head over all the demons, the most powerful one: Satan,” the priest continued.
Fr. Fortea went on to say, “Anyone who resorts to spiritism, witchcraft, or worse yet, Satanism, is in danger of being possessed. That is the general norm, but there are cases that have no explanation, even if someone has not engaged in these practices.”
“When someone possessed receives an exorcism, it takes a reasonable amount of time for him or her to be liberated. A number of sessions are required. The devil resists because he knows he is condemned to leave,” he added.
Fr. Fortea said he does not feel “especially harassed, but reason does tell me that since he exists, the devil does have outstanding issues with me.”
Physical evidence for God is anectdotal at best. As we are taught in John 1:18:
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (NIV)
The same theme, that God is unseen, is common throughout the whole Bible. This means that you could use any advanced scientific apparatus you wish and you will never find any evidence that proves the existence of God. You must have faith in Him and believe that He exists. There is no other way.
But with regards to Satan, if you faithfully believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you MUST believe that Satan is very real indeed. Satan is pure evil, and no human can resist all of the temptations that Satan throws at people. Inevitably we all give in to the power of Satan.
Only Jesus could resist and defeat Satan. If Satan is not real, then why do we need a Savior?
Well, yes, but male entire goats are also absolutely foul-smelling and are frankly disgusting in their sexual habits. It was natural for people who live close to the countryside to associate what is foul and sex-obsessed with goatishness. (And I say this as someone who knows several goats and is fond of them.)
“On a certain number of occasions, alone at my house or other places, I have felt an evil presence.” He continued. “I would be lying if I did not acknowledge that I felt that evil presence in an intense and powerful way.”
Like this one?
Sometimes.
I think the Catholic church had a point, based on their doctrines, of describing the demons in their demonologies as hierarchical, based on a hierarchy of sins.
As such, Lucifer, at the apex of demons, likewise had the apex of sin with his pride. Importantly, his sin was not just ordinary pride, but a pride that very specifically challenges God. And note in the Old Testament, that this was such a serious sin that even mortals could bring down heavenly wrath by using it. Nimrod, with his tower of Babel, destroyed not just himself but his nation because of pride.
So above all, Lucifer transformed into Satan, must still have as his calling card pride above pride. It is his definition.
I'm not qualified to debate theology with this guy. I can, however, talk about the behavior of cats. This guy is reading what he wants into it.
I can surely understand that. Though I´d wonder too how that undermines monotheism.
The monotheism is Christianity is "undermined" only if one chooses to define God in a "human" context. Yes, it is impossible for one physical entity to be 3 different things while at the same time being one thing. But as Jesus explains it in Matthew 19:26:
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NIV)
God can do anything, even things that humans cannot do. This includes, but is not limited to, a virgin birth, being 3 entities at the same time as being one entity, dying and coming back after 3 days, or any other extraordinary type of thing.
You can still spot Satan based on the “D-” after his/her name.
I think Satan and the imps of hell approach humans with attractants. After all, who would be tempted by foul smells, ugliness, disgusting acts?
Instead, I think Satan comes not only as an Angel of Light, but as a “Come on, it won’t hurt anyone,” or “You can get away with it,” or “No one will know” or “I’m sure God wants YOU to help Him punish unbelievers, you’ll save their souls” — stuff like that.
Hey, good to see you Judith Anne! And I agree with you 100% ...
I was once given a bag of beautiful curly (male) mohair locks. I had to keep them outside until I washed them. I washed them several times. I aired them in the sun for weeks. I don’t know what they use in industry, likely they use female hair, but those locks always had a faint goaty odor.
I agree with Father Fortea.
Quite true.
As someone whose cat warned them about someone up to no good outside my open bedroom window, in the middle of a hot summer night, I tend to take a cat’s behaviour quite seriously.
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