(NC Register) Marge Fenelon—Good vs. Evil: Spiritual Warfare

Posted by Kendall Harmon

With the increasing occurrence of demonic possessions, there’s an increasing need for exorcists. Every bishop, by the nature of his office, is an exorcist. Some priests are delegated by their bishops to be exorcists, but many more are needed to engage rising spiritual combat. Currently, there are 195 dioceses in the United States, but only 51 exorcists. Those in need of an exorcist must petition their bishop via letter; the bishop then delegates an exorcist for the case.

Actual spiritual warfare is not to be taken lightly; it’s real, it’s dangerous, and it requires battle tactics laced with faith, hope and charity.

However, what most people refer to as spiritual warfare is the day-to-day opposition to our faith and ability to live good Christian lives.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Pastoral Care • * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine • * Theology • Pastoral Theology • Theology: Scripture

3 Comments
Posted November 5, 2012 at 8:00 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Terry Tee wrote:

This article is bizarre, even loopy.  Great harm has been done in the past, pastorally, by people imaginging demons where in fact psychological or emotional healing is necessary.  Nothing in the story at the beginning indicates anything like possession; it sounds more like depression.  I am also uneasy with the dualism implied in the language of possession:  a realm of God, a realm of Satan; a realm of good, a realm of evil, etc.  Evil is real and its symbols are not to be played with - hence my deep unease at some of the Halloween celebrations - but nor is personified evil to be imagined lurking around every corner.  Most cases where people imagine themselves to be possessed turn out to be some form of mental illness, and need to be treated as such.

November 5, 9:40 am | [comment link]
2. Vatican Watcher wrote:

From The Exorcist:

They said, “What sign can you give us to see so that we may believe you?”
—John 6:30-31

A [Vietnam] commander ran a contest to rack up his unit’s 10,000th kill; the prize was a week of luxury in the colonel’s own quarters.
—Newsweek, 1969

You do not believe although you have seen. . . .
—John 6:36-37

November 5, 6:52 pm | [comment link]
3. Charles52 wrote:

Fr. Tee,

I don’t see the problems you cite in the article. Its fairly clear that psychological factors play a part in problems. They were not ignored.  Most interesting, it discussed evil influences on a range rather than focus on the most severe (and dramatic) - possession.

I do take issue with the notion that demonic activity is increasing. Rather, it seems to me that a generation that ignores and denies the existence of a spiritual enemy is passing.  I do agree that dualism can be a problem at a time like this, but I just don’t see this writer pushing a dualistic vision.

November 5, 7:26 pm | [comment link]
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