THE EXORCISM SERIES (pt1)

The encounter

Dr Glenville Ashby, Contributor

The Following is the first of a five-part series

An Excerpt Taken from the Roman Exorcism Rite:

Deus, humáni géneris cónditor atque defénsor

Réspice super hunc fámulum tuum

Quem ad tuam imaginem formásti

Et tuae vocas glóriae consórtium

vetus adversáries eum dire torque acri ópprimit vi

Saevo terróre contúrbat

Mitte super eum Spiritum Sanctum tuum

Translation: God, Defender and Creator of Humankind

Look Upon your servant who you created in your image

And whom you have called to participate in your glory

The old Enemy torments him terribly and oppresses him with great terror.

Send Upon him your Holy Spirit.

It's midday in Vatican City, and a breeze meanders through alleys and cobbled-stoned streets, lined with outdoor cafés and spirited patrons. I sit, patiently. The arrival of the Exorcist is nigh at hand. Suddenly, a bespectacled, almost nondescript figure appears. Our eyes lock and the surrounding chatter fade into oblivion. He is particularly determined that his real identity not be revealed. I am forced to refer to him by a pseudonym. I tuck my camera away, safely. Soon, I understand why. Fr Peter Tollona receives a deluge of requests for exorcism whenever he grants an interview. "I have been in this ministry for some time, and there has never been such a need for inner healing and deliverance from emotional and mental pain. There is a real demand from people demanding release from infestation and possession." Father Tollona is a Jesuit who serves in Ireland. Today, he is attending the much-hyped annual Exorcism Programme at the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum.

He is a quiet man, prudent and deliberate in thought, almost self-effacing. His work is primarily pastoral in nature, offering healing and deliverance from evil influences through Prayers of Liberation, and the Rite of Major Exorcism.

deliverance

Deliverance, he notes, has a broader connotation. "Lay persons or non-Catholics can perform deliverance, as long as they live in accordance with biblical principles, and are bestowed with a particular charism. You can say prayers that are divinely inspired." He advises everyone to receive this blessing because "we are weak and need strength from a higher source to resist temptations that are always with us".

Prayers of Liberation, he adds, should be distinguished from exorcisms. "You ask God or the saints to intercede and help the afflicted during deliverance. In exorcisms, the priest, infused with the Spirit of Christ, and backed by the spiritual power of the entire Church," wages an assault on the Devil, "who is compelled to leave the vessel or the body of the afflicted".

He describes a frightening, surreal scene, with sheer cinematographic appeal.

He demystifies the work of the exorcist. "During a baptism or the sacrament of confession, the priest prays for the removal of hidden or manifest evil. The same is done during the sacrament for the sick, which was called extreme unction." These comprise what he calls Minor Exorcism.

"What's increasing," he adds, "are mental pathologies, caused by our modern, secular lifestyle, where belief in God is non-existent, or given marginal consideration. We are now confronting more cases of possession where the Roman Rite of Exorcism, reserved only for priests, must be performed."

proliferation of New Age philosophy

Fr Tollona is quick to point out that the proliferation of New Age philosophy has contributed to tearing that fine line that separates us from the spirit world.

"Indulgence in séances, Ouija boards, pendulums, tarot cards, has always been a problem. Now with the influx of Eastern philosophy and practices, such as Reiki, Feng Shui, and Kundalini Yoga, with the intention of manipulating energy centres inside and outside the body, there is an increase in spiritual obsessions, that, left unchecked, result in full blown possession." He methodically details degrees of spiritual malaise: infestation, vexation, obsession, before one succumbs to possession, which he admits is rare.

In cases of infestations, he states that "there is a sense of fear, anxiety, panic, paralysis at the point of falling to sleep and disturbing dreams". Poltergeist activities are also mentioned.

Vexation, he defines as "an inextricable sense of doom and failure," - a kind of curse that destroys work related pursuits, and relations between friends and relatives. On the other hand, obsessed individuals are beleaguered by visual and auditory hallucinations, "although they are still functional". Under these three conditions, Prayers of Liberation are performed.

The renowned exorcist cautions that determining an authentic case of possession is a painstaking process, as many psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia have similar symptoms. "Each case is examined differently." That an independent psychiatrist be involved in the diagnosis is mandatory. "But, there are definitive signs of possessions," he notes. He cites the following: the display of superhuman strength; clairvoyance or the ability to know intimate information; precognition; speaking an archaic language, or languages that one has never studied, with stunning proficiency; levitation; the appearance of bodily lesions, and a virulent aversion to anything sacred.

"The bottom line is that we are faced with situations that cannot be explained medically, or physically."

He concedes that performing the Roman Rite, which requires the consent of a Diocesan Bishop can be exhausting and requires patience. The exorcist, he explains, is advised against bargaining, or negotiating with inhabiting spirits.

He also states that while evil spirits can control your body, it cannot control the soul, unless you voluntarily surrender it. "There are individuals we call, 'perfectly possessed.' They appear regular … normal folks, but they have given their life, their will and soul to the Evil One, in a conscious, voluntary way. You know, the dark side promises you many, many things. It is impossible to deliver such persons, unless they revoke their covenant."

He contests claims of people possessing occult powers. "The problem here is that some may believe that they are controlling spirits, but that's an illusion. The irony is that they are the ones being controlled."

He acknowledges that there are sensitive individuals who, through dreams, the trance state, or visions, can bring messages from the beyond, but only with God's permission. He refers to the life of Maria Simma of Austria as "the perfect example". These "interactions with the incorporeal," he argues, oftentimes, heal wounds, and reconcile differences among family members and friends. These gifted persons can also deliver messages from these souls in purgatory who need prayers and our healing thoughts. These "spirits" he explains, "are not damned," and through spiritual intercession, will move on to a more restful place. He calls individuals who have this uncanny ability to bridge the two worlds, "very special, simple, pious and humble". He lauds their steadfastness, adding: "They are not vainglorious and never request a penny for their services. It is a gift that has come very naturally, and is really a blessing from God."

There, our encounter ends. A brief one. But what awaits me in the days to come is eye-opening, indeed.

Part II: A case for Mental Illness or Possession.

Dr Glenville Ashby is the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Interfaith Council Int'l. Send feedback to glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @glenvilleashby.