The Catholic Church And All Things Spooky

By Random Jottings

The Catholic Church and all things spooky

PHEW … with Halloween—the season of ghosts, evil spirits and all things paranormal (and we are not talking politics here!)—over and done with for another year it was at least comforting to know that the Catholic Church in the Philippines has an official exorcist.

He is Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia (son of well-known charity worker Letty Syquia) who carries the not so spooky official title of director of the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism. And with excellent literary timing he has just released a new edition of an informative book he has written that answers age old questions such as: Do ghosts really exist? Are there haunted houses? Is it true that you can be possessed by demons?

These and a lot more questions about the spirits are answered in Father Syquia's book Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult which is published by Shepherd's Voice Publications Inc. (available at National Book Store branches).

As the main man of the Catholic Church on such scary matters, Father Syquia has performed countless exorcism rites, showing how the power of God can drive away evil spirits.
Father Syquia asserts he wrote the book because in the Philippines, there is a growing fascination for the paranormal and a hunger for answers and resolutions to demonic harassment. He says: "There seems to be no end to the supply of paranormal accounts since we as a nation have always had a certain religiosity that opens us up to interaction with the spirit world."
He adds: "Since prevention is always much easier than the cure, I hope through this work to warn Catholics about the different ways that they may get involved with demonic forces."
Father Syquia explores the world of the paranormal and the occult, particularly the realm of extraordinary demonic activity. This is to help people know how to properly view and confront the evil spirits through the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Father Syquia quotes Pope John Paul II who said during a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel in 1987: "The battle against the devil, which is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel, is still being fought today, because the devil is still alive and active in the world."

"When demonic activity is not so grave," Father Syquia says, "one can by himself find resolution through the different spiritual weapons that God has given the Church to destroy the works of Satan."

He adds: "One must keep in mind that the devil is afraid of the Christian who knows his identity as a precious child of the all-powerful God and knows also how to use the many spiritual weapons of the Church."

The book also gives other priests, who do not have time to do their own research, the principles and guidelines that can aid them when they come face to face with extraordinary demonic activity in their ministry.

Included in this gripping book of stories is the Exorcism Rite—the main weapon of the Catholic Church against demonic assaults, a concise ma­nual of prayers for deliverance, as well as a handbook for dealing with infested locales.

Father Syquia points out that exorcism and deliverance fall under the Ministry to the Sick. He explains: "This entails a program that encompasses not merely diagnostic procedures and the exorcism/deliverance itself, but must also include follow-ups and evaluations."
He emphasizes that the whole thrust of the ministry is for the patient to grow in holiness by bringing him to an intimate relationship with Jesus. He says this may entail exorcism prayers, guidance and counseling, evangelization of the patient and his family, introduction to a community where the patient can find support and regular evaluation of progress in both his spiritual life and liberation.

Father Syquia discusses in detail requirements for the preparation for the exorcism/ deliverance team, preparation for the victim, reminders during the exorcism/deliverance sessions, what to do when liberation is not yet attained, and what to do after liberation.
According to Bo Sanchez, chairman of SVP (popularly known as the Preacher in Blue Jeans) this book will change the way you view the world. "In the end," says Sanchez, "Father Jocis' mind-blowing stories will not make you fear the devil as much as they will make you love God more."

rjottings@yahoo.com

URL: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/nov/05/yehey/opinion/20071105opi3.html