st. michael. gabriele amorth • occurs when satan or one or more of his demons takes over a a...

Diabolical Activity and the Church Deacon Dominic Cerrato. Ph.D.


Understanding Demonic Activity within the Mystery of Salvation

St. Michael THE ARCHANGEL

Catholic Church

Presentation Goal: Presentation Goal: to provide an overview of the Church’s teaching on diabolical activity in light of the mystery of salvation

Objectives: • General Introduction

Objectives: • General Introduction • Fall of the Angels

Objectives: • General Introduction • Fall of the Angels • Satan and his Demons

Objectives: • General Introduction • Fall of the Angels • Satan and his Demons • Forms of Diabolical Activity

Objectives: • General Introduction • Fall of the Angels • Satan and his Demons • Forms of Diabolical Activity • Questions



General Introduction

• Why a presentation on diabolical activity? • Why a presentation on diabolical activity? • Sharp increase in things diabolical

• Why a presentation on diabolical activity? • Sharp increase in things diabolical • Virtually no training among the clergy

• Why a presentation on diabolical activity? • Sharp increase in things diabolical • Virtually no training among the clergy • The experience of someone possessed

• Why a presentation on diabolical activity? • Sharp increase in things diabolical • Virtually no training among the clergy • The experience of someone possessed • The desire to help & understand

• Why a presentation on diabolical activity? • Sharp increase in things diabolical • Virtually no training among the clergy • The experience of someone possessed • The desire to help & understand • Attended the Course on Exorcism and

Prayers of Deliverance


Prayers of Deliverance • Received authorization


Prayers of Deliverance • Received authorization • Multi-disciplinary approach


Prayers of Deliverance • Received authorization • Multi-disciplinary approach • My experience of exorcists


Prayers of Deliverance • Received authorization • Multi-disciplinary approach • My experience of exorcists • Balanced my understanding



And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown out with him. (Rev 12: 7-9)

Fall of the Angels

• God created the angels • God created the angels • Personal non-corporal beings • God created the angels • Personal non-corporal beings • Glorify God and administer His plan

• God created the angels • Personal non-corporal beings • Glorify God and administer His plan • Angels have free will (irrevocable choice)

• God created the angels • Personal non-corporal beings • Glorify God and administer His plan • Angels have free will (irrevocable choice) • They exercised this freedom in a primordial

test in which a third fell under Lucifer

• God created the angels • Personal non-corporal beings • Glorify God and administer His plan • Angels have free will (irrevocable choice) • They exercised this freedom in a primordial

test in which a third fell under Lucifer • The angelic original sin is directly related to

our original sin

“behind the disobedient choice of our first parents lurks a seductive voice, opposed to God, which makes them fall out of envy (CCC 391).”



Satan and his Demons • Demons retain their natural powers • Demons retain their natural powers

• They are intelligent beings blinded by pride

• Demons retain their natural powers


• Their power is limited – they are not:



• Their power is limited – they are not: • Omnipresent (all present)



• Their power is limited – they are not: • Omnipresent (all present) • Omnipotent (all powerful)



• Their power is limited – they are not: • Omnipresent (all present) • Omnipotent (all powerful) • Omniscient (all knowing)




• They can only exert influence by the permissive will of God who allows evil that good may come of it





• Because of this, person, places and things are subject to demonic influences





• Because of this, person, places and things are subject to demonic influences

• Moreover, because of the tendency to sin, humanity can cooperate with the demonic increasing the evil in the world



Forms of Diabolical Activity • Diabolical activity can take many forms

grouped differently by different authors • Diabolical activity can take many forms

grouped differently by different authors

• The fall into two broad categories:

• Diabolical activity can take many forms grouped differently by different authors

• The fall into two broad categories: • Ordinary Diabolical Activity

Temptation

• The typical way demons work

• A dialogue with the demonic

• The incitement to sin by the offer of some good or pleasure

• The freedom of the person being tempted remains intact

• Temptation is the most serious kind of demonic activity because we retain the ability to resist

Confronting Temptation

• Avoid the near occasion of sin

• Frequent recourse to prayer and the sacraments

• Christian fellowship



• Temptation



Forms of Diabolical Activity • Diabolical activity can take many forms

grouped differently by different authors


• Temptation

• Extraordinary Diabolical Activity • Extraordinary Diabolical Activity

• Infestation

Gary, Indiana – January 2014

Prayers of Deliverance

• Aimed at freeing a person, place or thing from the influence of demons of lesser strength

• Can be exercised by clergy & laity without bishop’s permission – USE EXTREME CAUTION

• Stop immediately if victim begins to manifest

• Is a form of supplication and uses the deprecatory form (begging Christ to free the person)

Infestation

• Least Invasive • Diabolical activity in place or object • Infestation manifests in:

• Laughter, screams, footsteps • Shadowy figures, unusual odors

• Unusual temperature shifts

• Blood-like writing on the walls

• Levitating objects

• Objects that disappear & reappear

• Caused by: • Cult activity • Heinous acts of violence • Curses

Confronting Infestation • House blessing and Mass at house

• Prayers of Deliverance

• Extreme cases require exorcism





• Temptation

Forms of Diabolical Activity


• Infestation • Extraordinary Diabolical Activity

• Infestation • Oppression

Oppression

• Manifests in physical attacks

• St Catherine of Siena • St. John Vianney • St. Pio of Petrelcina

Confronting Oppression • Prayers of Deliverance

• Unlike infestation, oppression is personal in nature

• Demonic activity focuses a person

• Often directed to those closest to God such as:

• Can be directed to others with manifestations such as: • Hemography • Beatings • Being pushed





• Temptation





• Extraordinary Diabolical Activity

• Infestation • Oppression • Obsession

Obsession

• Often called “demonic temptation”

• Attacks the mind in an intense and persistent manner

• More violent and prolonged than ordinary temptation

• Diminishes victims free will and troubles the soul

• Can manifest in seductive & horrific visions luring victim in deeper

entity relationship with the diabolical

• Takes place in the imagination

• Victim unable to form lasting relationships and feels helpless

Confronting Obsession • Prayers of Deliverance





• Temptation







Possession

• Victim is not free or responsible


• Infestation • Oppression • Obsession • Possession

Fr. Gabriele Amorth

• Occurs when Satan or one or more of his demons takes over a a person’s body without consent

• Typically occurs when victim opens himself up to demons

• Cults, Ouija boards, tarot card certain movies and video games

• These provide an invitation

• Can also occur through curses, spells and consecration to Satan

• Victim can appear normal at times but aware of heavy demonic force within

• They withdraw and often suffer from severe depression

• When the demons feel threatened they manifest





• Temptation







Possession • Manifestations may include:


• Infestation • Oppression • Obsession • Possession

• Bodily contortions

• All designed to frighten the one threatening their possession

• Physiognomic voice changes • Feats of strength and agility

• Speaking in unknown languages

• Knowledge of hidden things

• Move objects and levitate

Confronting Possession

• The Rite of Exorcism

Jesus is the Chief Exorcist

• Only by a trained priest designated by the local bishop

• Must have the consent of victim

• The Rite done by priest and team • Uses the imperative

• Process not an event




• Contact local pastor

Jesus is the Chief Exorcist

• Process to undergo an exorcism (in diocese with a program)

• Pastor contacts diocese • Investigation starts • Requires physical & psychological eval. • Results go through review board • Recommendations made to bishop • Bishop appoints exorcist and team • Exorcist prays the rite • Exorcism a process not an event

Confronting Possession

Demonic activity is not about

sin and death, but Jesus’

victory over sin and death

and the offer of

Eternal Life



Questions & Resources



Understanding Demonic Activity within the Mystery of Salvation

st. michael. gabriele amorth • occurs when satan or one or more of his demons takes over a a...

Documents