Fr. Mike Driscoll - Demons, Deliverance, Discernment: Separating Fact from Fiction about the Spirit World

Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment

Separating Fact from Fiction About the Spirit World

F R. M IKE D RISCOLL

Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment

Separating Fact from Fiction About the Spirit World

2015 Fr. Mike Driscoll

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Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.

1 Peter 5:89

Why Do We Need Another Book on Demonic Possession?

Catholic books on the topic of demonic possession fall into three categories. The first is demonology, or the study of demons. Books in this category talk about the nature and activity of demons, one small part of which is the study of possession and exorcism.

Then there have been a few books written by exorcists. These also cover demonology, but focus more on possession and exorcism. They have the advantage of being first-hand accounts, written by priests who were authorized by bishops to perform exorcisms. They place heavy emphasis on topics that are bound to attract attention, including astonishing stories of preternatural occurrences accompanying demon possession, types of and particular demons they have confronted, and their methods of exorcism

A third group of books on demonic possession comprises those written by Catholics claiming expertise on identifying and fighting demonic attacks that fall short of possession. These authors have no official standing in the Church, and their explanations and methods are not taken from any Catholic authority. Like the books written by exorcists, these emphasize first-hand stories and descriptions of the means that must be employed to deliver people from demonic attacks.

I wanted to write a different kind of book.

As a priest with a doctorate in counseling, I wish to give attention to an area that is often left out of other Catholic books about exorcism, and certainly out of mainstream
cultural treatment of demonology: identifying and recognizing the differences between demonic activity and mental disorders. Not all personal problems, even serious ones, have a demon behind them, and the Church has never taught that they do.

Furthermore, I am not an exorcist, so I dont have exciting first-hand stories of demonic attacks. In the course of my research, however, I heard many such stories from experienced exorcists (who wish to remain anonymous). These stories can be necessary reminders to us that Satan and his demons really do operate in our world, sometimes in extraordinary ways, and in this book I will share some of them where appropriate.

Finally, I think that many booksCatholic and non-Catholicabout possession and exorcism are written by authors who rely on claims of extraordinary spiritual gifts and self-made methods for identifying and fighting demonic assaults. I will critique this approach, and make the case for using only the Churchs traditional methods.

D EMONS, M ENTAL D ISORDERS, AND D ISCERNMENT

One study of 488 different cultures found that three-quarters of them have institutionalized beliefs in spirit possession of human beings. A final alternative is that any given alleged case of spirit possession is simply a hoax.

Although different alleged cases of possession may be explained by any of these, only the first possibilitythat spirit possession is a real thingcan explain incidents that defy natural explanation. The other theories must leave such episodes as unsolved mysteries. This book is written from the point of view that possession by spiritsparticularly evil spirits, also known as fallen angels or devilsis real.

About the time I finished a master of arts in counseling, I had a few conversations with an exorcist I had known for years. I had become familiar with the diagnosis of mental disorders, and I had read a little on the topic of demonic possessionbut only a little. I dont remember it coming up in my seminary courses. It probably was mentioned, but scant time was spent on it, and rightfully so. Most priests are never going to perform an exorcism. I would also say that most priests are never going to see a possessed person, but the different opinions on that point are part of the study of this book.

As soon as I finished that degree, I was accepted into a Ph.D. program called Counselor Education and Supervision . As before, I had courses on emotional and mental disorders, relationship difficulties, life problems, and how to help people deal with them. However, we also spent time studying counselors: how to teach them, supervise them, and help them deal with their own struggles. Early in the program, I thought it would be interesting to take a similar approach toward research on possession and exorcism. I decided to study not just those topics, but also the exorcists themselves. How did they get involved in performing exorcismssomething that less than one priest in a thousand ever does? What training did they undergo? And last but not least, what makes them conclude that a particular person is suffering from demon possession rather than from a mental disorder? I decided to do my doctoral dissertation on this subject. After defending the dissertation and finishing the degree, I proceeded to write this book.

In summary, I wrote it to address three questions: How do Catholic exorcists discern possession? How do they perform exorcisms? How do Catholics address lower level demonic attacks? Depending upon who is asked, there are different answers to these questions. The answers affect all of us in our daily struggles against the enemy. Although we may not face the more dramatic demonic attacks, the devil tempts everyone he even tempted our Lord. We would be mistaken if we acted as if demonic possession were commonplace. We would be equally mistaken, howeveras well as foolishto ignore the presence of the devil, and to neglect the means of resisting his activity in the world. In the Rite of Baptism, those being baptized (or their godparents) promise to renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his empty promises . We should make it a daily spiritual practice to fulfill these promises. I hope this book will help you do so.

Erika Bourguignon, Introduction: A Framework for the Comparative Study of Altered States of Consciousness, in Religion, Altered States of Consciousness, and Social Change , ed. by Erika Bourguignon (Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 1973), 335.

Felicitas Goodman, The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel (Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 1981), 201226.

Spirit Possession Worldwide

When we hear the word possession , we often think of evil spirits forcibly taking control of a persons body in a harmful way. Numerous cultures have similar beliefs about possession by evil spirits, but many of these cultures also maintain that people can be possessed in a desirable and voluntary way by good spirits. In this chapter, we look at stories of possession and exorcism in non-Christian cultures throughout the world. As we will see, there are similarities between Catholic beliefs and certain aspects of pagan religions in regard to spirit possession and exorcism.