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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
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