exorcism and deliverance

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He acknowledged that exorcisms today are few and far between, but he added that evil spirits do exist and influence people harmfully - thus the need for deliverance.


“A lot of people are hurting and floundering,” said Father McAlpine. “Jesus wants to heal us and this healing ministry is a significant step to bring freedom to those who are suffering.”


Father Bruch also expressed interest in going to the conference to learn more about this form of ministry.


“It was something that I had never really thought much about or had much teaching on,” he said. He also found the conference to be intense and compared it to going into the third grade with the expectation to learn subtraction and division and then having the instructor present calculus. “It was pretty high-powered.”


While this is not a gift or ministry to be used lightly, Father Bruch said all prayerful, baptized people are empowered to deliver people from evil spirits. He has witnessed how praying with people can bring relief.Father O’Kane said he was interested in attending the conference because he felt it would help him in giving spiritual direction and help him to be a better confessor in the sacrament of reconciliation.


“I was very interested in the topic,” he added. “I know that the evil one is very active in the world. It’s part of our ordinary healing ministry to help people in areas where healing is needed. When the evil one gets involved in our lives, we need to know how to deal with it.”


The devil is not something that is often discussed in this day and age, but Father McAlpine said there is no doubt that evil spirits are at work and that can be manifested in sinful behavior such as abuses of drugs and alcohol, pornography, sexual abuse and abortion.


“I think we have to call a spade a spade. Truly this behavior is the work of the devil,” said Father McAlpine, who continues to study about exorcism and deliverance. “It’s not a question of one, but many (demons) as indicated in the Gospels. Delivering people from evil spirits, along with forgiving sins and healing of the sick isan essential part of responding to the Gospel message.”