Finally, Credibility!
And here I thought no one but me took the presence of Satan seriously. Seriously. I always thought when I saw an impish gleam in the eye of someone - anyone - it was the Devil himself looking out and I could anticipate the worst. As invariably happened. As when you're dealing with a recalcitrant child, one determined to proceed with original intent before so precipitously interfered with.Don't I speak for all of us in acknowledging that the Devil abides in us all? Not in grace, granted, but submerged in our subconscious an engagingly risque devil arousing our sensibilities to outrageous attitudes and rebellions. Urging us to give vent to our darkest compulsions and impulses. Endlessly entertaining in that devilish way we find so appealing and frustrating in the young.
But here's the Vatican and the Pope's exorcist-in-chief calling the devil's bluff. A new initiative is underway in response to what the Roman Catholic Church sees as youth plunging into Satanism. For when Cardinal Ratzinger was not yet Pope Benedict XVI, he was in charge of The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. And he knows.
That very ecclesiastical department dealing with the promotion and safeguarding of Roman Catholic beliefs. And, Father Gabriele Amorth, exorcist-in-chief explains to us that "Pope Benedict XVI believes in the existence and danger of evil", from the time he was in charge of that bastion of exorcism. Well, yes, he would.
And this is of course very serious business, for as the good Father declaims further: "Too many bishops are not taking this seriously and are not delegating their priests in the fight against the Devil. You have to hunt high and low for a proper, trained exorcist." A fascination with the occult and the underworld has prompted this re-awakening to the dangers of Lucifer's reign.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, it would appear, defines exorcism as "the act of driving out, or warding off, demons, or evil spirits, from persons, places of things, which are believed to be possessed or infested by them, or are liable to become victims or instruments of their malice". To rid an infested individual is a highly delicate task, but being possessed of a diabolical presence is anathema to the church.
Lest one be in any doubt whether one is possessed of demonic influences, consider these signposts:
- Speaking or understanding languages, which the person has never learned;
- Knowing things the person has no earthly way of knowing;
- Physical strength beyond the person's natural physical makeup;
- A violent aversion to God, the virgin Mary, the cross and other images of Catholic faith.
Father Amorth brings forth his recollections of the Pope: "I remember a meeting we exorcists had with the Holy Father last year, in which he implored us to follow our mission as exorcists". This exercise is not for just anyone, however. For under Canon Law 1172 while it is stated that all priests can perform exorcisms, success is assured only with a select few.
Easily understood, since the rite of exorcism requires a rare understanding and dedication, the ability to perform under great stress and existential pressures, involving a series of approved gestures and quite specific prayers invoking the powers of God. Only thus can a halt be effected to the demon influencing its victim.
Plans are afoot, ensuring that each bishop have at his disposal a group of priests assigned to his diocese trained in exorcism, ready and capable of taking action against "extreme Godlessness".
Is there anywhere I can hide, I wonder?
Labels: Realities, Religion, Social-Cultural Deviations
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, December 29, 2007
<< Home